Louise Farrand
Louise Farrand is a freelance journalist and a regular contributor to Employee Benefits. Louise was formerly the editor of two pensions magazines. She continues to write about pensions and employee benefits, as well as for investment managers, consultants and master trusts.
Louise is the executive director of the DC Investment Forum, a group of investment managers dedicated to promoting investment excellence via research and events. She writes and commissions research, as well as chairing the group's events.
AnalysisWhere does auto-enrolment sit in a pensions strategy?
Employers are incorporating auto-enrolment into their pensions strategy in different ways to help staff avoid retirement poverty.
Case StudiesWolseley Group enhances pension provision beyond auto-enrolment minimums
The trade supplier moved to a master trust and enhanced contribution structures as part of its focus on delivering good outcomes for its employees.
AnalysisBuyer’s guide to stakeholder pension schemes
Stakeholder pensions are a type of contract-based defined contribution (DC) pension plan that can be cost effective for employers.
AnalysisHow can employers ensure their workplace pension delivers value for money?
Defining value for money in DC pensions involves investment performance, communication, digital engagement, and responsiveness to employers and members.
Case StudiesFirst Bus ensures pension savers are set for a comfortable retirement
First Bus reviewed its pension arrangements and felt that value for money encompassed more than pure investment returns.
AnalysisHow to ensure a pension scheme provides the best retirement outcomes
Responsibility for employees’ retirement outcomes is shared between the saver, the employer and the pension scheme.
AnalysisHow employers can support staff with long-term conditions and non-visible disabilities
There are a plethora of benefits that employers can offer to support long-term health conditions and non-visible disabilities.
Case StudiesDerwent London offers comprehensive support for long-term and non-visible conditions
Derwent London has taken steps to inform and educate staff so that those with chronic health conditions, or disability or accessiblity needs are fully supported.
AnalysisWhat does the government's pots-for-life plan mean for employers?
The pension pots-for-life plan, announced in 2023’s Autumn Statement by Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, would turn the current pensions system on its head. Instead of an employee building up a new pension pot every time they change employer, their pot would follow them through their working life. It ...
Case StudiesHousing 21 refreshes benefits in the cost-of-living crisis
Now that many workplaces are au fait with talking about mental health and the menopause, is money management the last stigma?
Case StudiesRoadshows were secret to success when Ford moved to pensions master trust
When Ford Motor Company moved to a master trust in April 2022, explaining the changes to people at pensions roadshows was a priority.
Case StudiesIngenuity starts with the basics of pension scheme investment communication
When it comes to communicating to employees about pension scheme investing, Gary Douglas, finance director of new business agency Ingenuity, is of the firm belief that you must get the basics right first.
Case StudiesVirgin Money firmly embeds financial wellbeing into employee experience
When Virgin Money introduced its new employment package, A Life More Virgin, in early 2022, financial wellbeing was one important piece in the jigsaw.
Case StudiesLove Energy Savings quickly adapted to hybrid ways of working
When the Covid-19 pandemic first started, the team at Love Energy Savings, a price comparison website for businesses, was concerned. As an organisation which in large part consists of call centre employees, how could it possibly embrace remote working?