Joint Pensions Diversity Event — Thursday, 7 May 2026

Around 50 pensions professionals came together at the offices of Burges Salmon LLP in London and online for a joint industry event hosted by Diversity in Pensions alongside Investors for Purpose, Pensions Equity Group, O:Pen, NextGen Pensions, the Association of Professional Pension Trustees, and the DEI Pensions Group.

The conversations were honest, practical and, at times, challenging — focusing not just on representation, but on psychological safety, leadership behaviours, accessibility, confidence, resistance, and how change really happens inside organisations and trustee boards.

Some highlights from the day:

• Keynote — Bruna Bauer from Investors for Purpose explored the difference between diversity, equality and inclusion, and why representation alone does not remove the structural and behavioural barriers that shape who progresses into leadership.

• Panel discussion — Jill Henderson from Scottish Widows, Sarah Brennan from Dalriada, Luke Hothersall from LCP, Lorna Tonner from Hymans Robertson and Ally Georgieva from mallowstreet discussed practical examples of embedding inclusion into consulting, trustee decision-making, leadership engagement and member communications — with one recurring theme: inclusion only works when it becomes part of everyday behaviour.

• Interactive workshop — led by Angela Sharma and Manpreet Sohal, groups discussed what to do when DEI efforts encounter resistance. One key takeaway: involving sceptics in improving communication is often more effective than trying to persuade them from the outside.

• Speed coaching — facilitated by Eve Read, participants exchanged real workplace challenges and practical approaches, demonstrating how peer conversations and shared experience can create momentum for change.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the discussions and helped create such an open and thoughtful atmosphere throughout the event.