Nominations for the third annual PP Women in Pensions Awards - which celebrate the achievements of women working in pensions or acting as a trustee - have now opened. Find out how to nominate here…
Do you work with a woman who is a trailblazer within pensions? Or perhaps you know a woman whose contribution to a project or task has been inspirational? Perhaps there is a rising female star in your midst or someone who has been a role model or mentor to women working in the pensions sector.
If so, we are ready to celebrate their achievements at the 3rd annual Women in Pensions Awards. We had a phenomenal response to last year's awards, receiving hundreds of entries with exceptionally tough competition across the categories.
The Women in Pensions Awards are not about men versus women, or whether a particular gender is more suited to a career or role in pensions; they are simply about celebrating and recognising the achievements of women in a sector where they are currently under-represented.
A range of supporters have backed these awards, including the Pensions Management Institute, Association of Consulting Actuaries, the Association of Member Nominated Trustees, the Pensions Administration Standards Association and the Society of Pension Professionals.
How you can play your part
By nominating someone for the awards or entering yourself you will not only help to acknowledge the current achievements of women, you will be helping to inspire and encourage the next generation of women in the pensions sector.
Nomination process is quick and easy
You simply complete some basic details about the person, company or scheme you are nominating. You can also nominate yourself. Nominations can be supported with an optional statement of 125 words maximum.
Once nominations have been received, the nominee will be contacted and forwarded a questionnaire that they will be required to complete in order to progress to the first round of judging. A shortlist will then be created from which an independent panel of expert judges will decide the winners in each category.
The deadline for nominations is 2 March 2020.
Visit the Women in Pensions Awards website for more information and to begin the nomination process.
Categories & Criteria
The awards are open to those working for firms operating in the UK's occupational pensions industry as well as those either working for or governing individual occupational pension schemes.
Nominees can be involved in roles including, but not limited to: pensions management, trusteeship, actuarial, pensions and investment consulting; legal advice; investment management; fiduciary management; scheme administration; member communications. Nominations can also be made for those involved other roles, such as sales and marketing, at organisations whose primary business or role is related to occupational pensions.
There is no limit on the number of nominations or categories. Women currently on maternity leave can also be nominated.
Nominees will be judged on their achievements during 2019/2020, apart from those entering the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Lifetime Achievement Award
In recognition of a woman who has risen to the top of the UK pensions career ladder and is an inspiration to future female leaders.
Pensions Woman of the Year
Open to women whose overall achievements and work within the broader UK occupational pensions sector have helped raise the profile of the sector as a career for women either through education, training, leadership, mentoring or acting as a role model. The award is not specific to any particular role - and is open to those involved in roles such as pensions management, trusteeship, consulting; legal advice and scheme administration - but the nominee must be able to demonstrate their influence in attracting and/or retaining women into pensions during 2019/2020.
Pensions Manager of the Year
This category is open to women working in senior roles in UK in-house company pension schemes. The award is open to people at ‘head of pensions' or ‘pensions director' levels but also open to those on the senior management team of in-house schemes - such as those leading the investment or administration functions of a scheme. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate their achievements in 2019/2020.
Trustee of the Year
This accolade aims to recognise women in UK pension trusteeship and is open to both professional (independent) and lay trustees. This award will serve as inspiration for other women to consider a role as a pension scheme trustee. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate their achievements in 2019/2020.
Adviser of the Year
Open to women working as a UK pension scheme consultant, actuary, or investment consultant, either in-house or at an external firm. This award will serve as inspiration for other women to consider a career in the field, so is particularly suitable for those with at least five years' experience in the field. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate their achievements in 2019/2020.
Lawyer of the Year
Open to women working as a lawyer or legal adviser to a UK pension scheme, either in-house or at an external firm. This award will serve as inspiration for other women to consider a career in the field, so is particularly suitable for those with at least five years' experience in the field. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate their achievements in 2019/2020.
Saleswoman/Marketer of the Year
Open to women working as in a sales or marketing role in a firm that provides products and services to UK occupational pension schemes. This award will serve as inspiration for other women to consider a career in the field, so is particularly suitable for those with at least five years' experience in the field. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate their achievements in 2019/2020.
Administrator of the Year
Open to women administrating UK pension schemes, either as part of an in-house team or at a third-party administration business. This award will serve as inspiration for other women to consider a career in pensions administration, so is particularly suitable for those with at least five years' experience in administration. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate their achievements in 2019/2020.
Investment Manager of the Year
Open to women managing investments for UK pension schemes, either as part of an in-house team or at a third-party asset management business. Nominees can be the lead or part of a joint all female or mixed gender management team. This award will serve as inspiration for other women to consider a career in pensions investment management and will therefore be judged primarily on qualitative factors, rather than performance. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate their achievements in 2019/2020.
Rising Star Award
Open to women in the UK occupational pensions sector who have made a strong impact in a short space of time; have impressed colleagues with their desire to succeed and strive to achieve excellence in the workplace, and are most likely to progress further. There is no age limit and candidates can be graduates, non-graduates, trainees, managers, or have perhaps transferred from a different industry into the pensions sector. Nominees must be working for less than five years in UK occupational pensions on 31st March 2020, and will be asked to demonstrate their achievements in 2019/2020.
Innovator of the Year *** NEW FOR 2020 ***
This is awarded to a woman designing, developing, researching, implementing or being exceptionally creative in pensions in an unconventional and innovative way. Whether running her own business or within a pensions company or organisation. The nominee will be mainly judged on achievements made in 2019/2020.
Change Excellence of the Year
Open to women in the UK occupational pensions sector who have made a valuable business contribution by driving through change. This could be related to a project, product, task or process. The nominee must have a lead or key role in delivering change and must either be ongoing or have taken place in 2019/2020.
Mentor of the Year
Open to men and women in the pensions sector who have supported and encouraged women to fulfil their potential within the workplace. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate their achievements in 2019/2020.
Role Model of the Year
Open to women in the pensions sector who have helped inspire others to fulfil their potential and achieve excellence in the workplace. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate their achievements in 2019/2020.
Team Leader of the Year
Open to women in the pensions sector who head up a team and can demonstrate excellence in leadership, communication and vision. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate their achievements in 2019/2020.
Most Inspiring Returner
For women who have returned to work in pensions following maternity leave and have provided inspiration and acted as a role model to women looking to achieve the balance between work and family life. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate their achievements over the 2019/2020 year.
Organisational Award - Award for Supporting Diversity
Open to companies in the pensions sector and pension schemes who have supported and facilitated initiatives to improve diversity within the organisation. Nominees will be asked to demonstrate their achievements over the 2019/2020 year.
For queries regarding nominations and media partnerships, please contact Ellie Harris at [email protected].
