Asset Owners Hub

The collaborative relationship between Asset Owners, Trustees and Consultants, holds a central position in the financial landscape, driving capital allocation, risk management and responsible investing practices. Asset Owners Hub explores this successful alliance with three short-format shows: Trustee Talk, Pensions Pod and Consultant Corner. Sponsored by: Aegon Asset Management, Aon, Capital Group and Manulife Investment Management. If you would like to be featured please email [email protected]

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The collaborative relationship between Asset Owners, Trustees and Consultants, holds a central position in the financial landscape, driving capital allocation, risk management and responsible investing practices. Asset Owners Hub explores this successful alliance with three short-format shows: Trustee Talk, Pensions Pod and Consultant Corner. Sponsored by: Aegon Asset Management, Aon, Capital Group and Manulife Investment Management. If you would like to be featured please email [email protected]

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Smart Pension, James Lawrence | Master Trusts at Scale

November 3, 2025 | 14m 32s

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Learning: Unstructured

As Master Trusts scale up, the rules of the game are rapidly evolving. James Lawrence, Director of Investment Proposition at Smart Pension, lifts the lid on how asset inflows, M&A, and private markets are reshaping the landscape.

He discusses why ‘scale’ now means more than just reaching £25bn AUM, and how Smart Pension’s investments are targeting UK scale-ups, net zero ambitions, and novel solutions for the tricky decumulation middle ground.

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James Lawrence

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Pension

Pension schemes

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Smart Pension

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We are an active global investor with investment capabilities that span public and private markets across fixed income, real assets, equities, and multi-asset platforms. Our 370 investment professionals serve a global client-base of sophisticated investors, managing and advising on assets of GBP 270 billion (as of 30 September 2024).

Across platforms, we share a common belief in fundamental, research-driven active management, underpinned by effective risk management and a commitment to responsible investment.

Our 1,130 employees work across Europe, the Americas and Asia. We invest globally and serve clients locally (as of 31 December 2024).

Aegon Asset Management is comprised of business entities that are wholly or partially owned subsidies of Aegon Ltd., a leading global financial services business. Aegon Ltd. is a public company listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the New York Stock Exchange.

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Every day, Aon’s strategic investment advisers and asset management experts bring their deep knowledge, best ideas and operational excellence to protect and grow institutional investment portfolios.

Specialisms include:

Investment Consulting - investment advice and strategies tailored to institutional investment portfolios of all types and sizes
Asset Allocation - economic and capital markets research and analysis
Delegated Investment - Full and partial fiduciary management, single-strategy solutions and Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) services
Risk Management & Risk Settlement Investment - combined investment and actuarial expertise and risk analytics to determine the right risk/reward balance for institutional portfolios and preparation for buyout
Investment Manager Research - in-depth research and monitoring of investment managers and funds
Responsible Investment - ESG integration strategies, engagement and stewardship, net zero and impact investing.

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Capital Group is one of the oldest and largest asset management companies in the world, managing multi-asset, equity and fixed income strategies for different types of investors.

Since 1931, Capital Group has been singularly focused on delivering superior, consistent results for long-term investors using high-conviction portfolios, rigorous research and individual accountability. We build our investment strategies with durability in mind, backed by our experience in varying market conditions. Fundamental proprietary research forms the backbone of our approach, provided by our integrated global network of more than 480 experienced investment professionals, with an average portfolio manager investment experience of 28 years.

Today Capital Group works with financial intermediaries and institutions to manage more than US$3.2 trillion in long-term assets for investors around the world.

*All data as at 31 December 2025

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Manulife Investment Management is the asset management arm of Manulife Financial Corporation, a global financial institution that has helped safeguard investor assets since 1887. We’re passionate about delivering outcomes with leading capabilities in public and private markets – we partner with institutions to understand their needs and create tailored solutions to help meet them. We take a specialist approach. Our focused teams are led by industry veterans with decades of experience managing strategies on behalf of investors – an approach that we believe supports a culture of investment excellence and highly differentiated strategies across asset classes. We’re committed to sustainable investing, developing innovative global frameworks, engaging collaboratively with companies in our public markets portfolios, and maintaining a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets. As of June 30, 2026, our more than 775 investment professionals across 20 geographies manage $577 billion in assets under management and administration on behalf of investors worldwide. Visit manulifeim.com/institutional.

1 Source: MFC statistical information package, as of June 30, 2026. Assets under management (AUM) are in USD. AUM includes assets internally managed by Manulife Investment Management on behalf of external clients, the Manulife general account, and other affiliated businesses. The methodologies used to compile the total AUM are subject to change and may not reflect regulatory AUM as reported on certain affiliates' Form ADV. Manulife Investment Management’s assets under management and administration are as of June 30, 2026, and include US$570.2 billion AUM and US$7.1 billion AUM. Manulife Investment Management’s global investment professional team draws on expertise from several of its affiliates and joint ventures. Not all entities represent all asset classes.

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