mallowstreet Defined Contribution Congress 2026

Join an exclusive gathering of senior industry peers and take the opportunity to forge lasting connections with fellow DC pension professionals in an environment designed to foster meaningful conversations.


"I thoroughly enjoyed the Mallowstreet event - it was exceptionally well-organised with a great line up of sessions delivered by industry experts. There was plenty of time to connect and have meaningful conversations with other attendees."


In addition to engaging keynote sessions, delegates will participate in intimate Investment Masterclasses led by expert asset managers — exploring proven strategies, uncovering fresh insights, and expanding their knowledge. These sessions offer a rare opportunity for personalised learning and direct interaction.


Step away from the bustle of the city and immerse yourself in a tranquil setting crafted to inspire creativity and strategic thinking. This Congress perfectly blends professional development with rejuvenation.

Attendance is by invitation only, and there is no delegate fee. If you would like to join us, please register your interest and our team will be in touch. Delegates are only required to arrange their own transport.


At mallowstreet we adhere to a principles-based approach to ensure a meaningful and respectful experience for all attendees. We believe that upholding these principles will contribute to a thriving and inclusive professional environment. Please review our Code of Conduct here: Code of Conduct

Speakers

Program

  1. Registration

  2. Lunch

  3. Welcome Address

    Dawid provides an overview of the conference, speakers, and key themes for the Congress.

    Speaker

    Dawid Konotey-Ahulu CBE DL, Co-founder, mallowstreet

  4. Are Retirement Defaults a Piece of Cake?

    Guided Retirement will require DC schemes to provide default solutions designed to deliver a regular retirement income. The market’s default choices should match real human behaviour: most members value stability, struggle with complex decisions later in life, and often respond to uncertainty by underspending. Retirement CDC (R-CDC) is a compelling default candidate; it is designed to convert DC savings into a lifelong income with managed adjustments over time.


    There are always trade-offs against alternative retirement options, especially around issues like flexibility. This will be a practical discussion about how trustees and providers can get comfortable with an R-CDC default through governance, transparent trade-offs and a clear choice framework.

    Speaker

    Stewart Patterson, Managing Director & Harriet Hayward, Senior Director, LifeSight (WTW)

  5. Session Transition

  6. Investment Masterclass I

    Delegates split into eight Investment Masterclass sessions over the course of the Congress.

  7. Tea, Coffee, and Networking

  8. Investment Masterclass II

    Delegates split into eight Investment Masterclass sessions over the course of the Congress.

  9. Session Transition

  10. From Great Outcomes to Robust Governance: Managing Private Markets in DC

    As DC schemes continue to evolve, the role of private markets is shifting from optional to essential, with fantastic member engagement stories. Yet managing these allocations within daily-dealt environments remains a challenge.


    In this session, Karim will be joined by Michael Robinsonand they will explore how Aegon UK are providing these stories to members, and working with J.P. Morgan to ensure that private markets are managed robustly in DC default strategies, focusing on the practical realities of managing illiquid assets — from liquidity management and governance to delivering improved member outcomes — and what this means for schemes looking to move beyond traditional asset allocations.

    Speaker

    Karim Lequel, Private Market Investment Specialist, J.P. Morgan, in collaboration with Aegon

  11. Delegate Leisure Time

  12. Connect, Converse, and Construct: Pit Stop Challenge, The Orangery

  13. Evening Dinner

  14. Evening Drinks

  15. Breakfast

  16. Welcome to Day 2

    Speaker

    Dawid Konotey-Ahulu CBE DL, Co-founder, mallowstreet

  17. Value for Money in DC: From Frameworks to Real Outcomes

    Value for Money has quickly moved from a regulatory concept to a defining lens through which DC schemes are being assessed. But beyond frameworks and disclosures, what does good actually look like in practice?


    In this session, Jo will explore how schemes and providers can move from measuring inputs and costs to demonstrating real member outcomes. Drawing on Aon’s work across schemes of different sizes and structures, she will examine how governance, investment strategy, and member engagement all contribute to delivering value.

    Speaker

    Jo Sharples, Chief Investment Officer, Aon DC Solutions, and Senior Partner, Aon

  18. Session Transition

  19. Investment Masterclass III

    Delegates split into eight Investment Masterclass sessions over the course of the Congress.

  20. Tea, Coffee, and Networking

  21. Investment Masterclass IV

    Delegates split into eight Investment Masterclass sessions over the course of the Congress.

  22. Session Transition

  23. VfM Assessment: Investment Performance

    The VfM framework (consultation) places investment metrics at the heart of determining outcomes - but the proposed design risks undermining its own objectives.


    This session explores the potential tension between backward-looking metrics (“BLMs”) and forward-looking metrics (“FLMs”), and the unintended behaviours they could drive.


    BLMs, shaped by prevailing markets and the move to arithmetic averaging, risk overstating or misrepresenting long-term outcomes.


    FLMs, meanwhile, are built on inherently subjective assumptions - introducing comparability challenges, gaming risks, and the potential for a “race to optimism”.


    Taken together, the interaction of the two risks encouraging herding, stifling innovation, and ultimately delivering poorer member outcomes - the opposite of what VfM seeks to achieve.


    Without care, VfM may end up measuring credibility through numbers that are credible only because they are measured.

    Speaker

    Gareth Doyle, Principal, Barnett Waddingham

  24. Lunch

  25. Master Trust Panel: Scale, Scrutiny, and the Next Phase of Growth

    Master trusts have become central to the UK DC landscape, combining scale with increasingly sophisticated investment and governance structures. This panel will examine how leading master trusts are navigating the next phase of growth — balancing efficiency with personalisation, responding to increased scrutiny around value, and continuing to evolve their offering in a more competitive and outcome-focused environment.


    Panellists:

    Rahil Ram, Cushon Master Trust

    Sharon Bellingham, Scottish Widows Master Trust

    Speaker

    Chaired by Dawid Konotey-Ahulu CBE DL, Co-founder, mallowstreet

  26. Session Transition

  27. Investment Masterclass V

    Delegates split into eight Investment Masterclass sessions over the course of the Congress.

  28. Tea, Coffee & Networking

  29. Investment Masterclass VI

    Delegates split into eight Investment Masterclass sessions over the course of the Congress.

  30. Session Transition

  31. Driving Engagement: From Communication to Action

    Engagement remains one of the most persistent challenges in DC, with many members still disengaged from their pension savings until it is too late to act. In this session, Scottish Widows will explore how engagement is evolving beyond traditional communication and look at trends where members are seeking support from social media and AI instead of schemes - we'll consider some of the challenges and opportunities this represents.

    Speaker

    Robert Cochran, Scottish Widows Master Trust

  32. Delegate Leisure Team

  33. Evening Drinks

  34. Evening Dinner

  35. Evening Drinks & Congress Quiz

  36. Breakfast

  37. Welcome to Day 3

    Speaker

    Dawid Konotey-Ahulu CBE DL, Co-founder, mallowstreet

  38. Future of DC: Policy, Purpose, and the Role of Single Trusts

    In this fireside conversation, John will draw on his work with Pensions UK to reflect on how policy, regulation, and market dynamics are shaping the future of defined contribution pensions. As the DC landscape continues to evolve, with increasing focus on scale, value for money, and member outcomes, the role of single trust schemes is under growing scrutiny.


    John will share his perspective on where the market is heading, reflect on his career in the industry, and offer his views on how single trusts can continue to compete, differentiate, and remain relevant in the years ahead.

    Speaker

    John Chilman, Independent Trustee, Nestlé UK Pension Fund & Dawid Konotey-Ahulu CBE DL, Co-founder,

  39. Session Transition

  40. Investment Masterclass VII

    Delegates split into eight Investment Masterclass sessions over the course of the Congress.

  41. Tea, Coffee & Networking

  42. The Chess Club and Drama Club of DC Investing

    Drawing on forty years of serving pension fund members and investing their savings, Sally will look at how the world of DC pension investing has evolved. The presentation will cover the behavioural and financial elements which sit behind our current DC landscape, how much is invested and how members are engaging with their savings. She will dive into what factors and insights these have influenced Nest’s investment strategy and what the future might hold.

    Speaker

    Sally Bridgeland, Chair, Nest Invest

  43. Close of Congress

    Speaker

    Dawid Konotey-Ahulu CBE DL, Co-founder, mallowstreet

  44. Lunch & Networking

    Speaker

    Dawid Konotey-Ahulu CBE DL, Co-founder, mallowstreet

  45. End