In addition to completing a short entry form, entrants will also have to write a submission and attach this to their online entry form. This must be no more than 4 pages (sides) of A4 long and be attached to the online entry form in a Microsoft Word or PDF file format.

All parts of the submission must refer to specific developments during the 12 months to December 31, 2026.

CATEGORIES

We have made a number of changes to the category list for the 2027 awards in response to feedback we have received.

In order to celebrate three decades of the UK Pensions Awards, we are including a special 30th Anniversary Award for Excellence category in order to recognise the firm that has made the greatest contribution to the industry since our accolades were first launched in 1998.

We have replaced the Alternative and Private Markets Investment Manager of the Year category with three separate awards - Private Equity Manager of the Year; Private Debt Manager of the Year and Infrastructure Manager of the Year. We have also launched a Multi-Private Market Solutions Provider of the Year category to reflect that increasing number of managers offer blended private market solutions, particularly for DC default funds (combining PE, infrastructure, and private credit in a single fund or LTAF).

We have renamed the Fiduciary Manager of the Year category as Fiduciary/OCIO Manager of the Year to reflect the broader range of delegated investment options on offer to schemes.

We have merged the Run-on Provider of the Year and Alternative Endgame Solution Provider of the Year categories into a single Run-on and Alternative Endgame Solution Provider of the Year category.

We have renamed the Risk Transfer Provider of the Year as Pension Risk Transfer Provider of the Year to reflect market nomenclature.

We have renamed the ESG Manager of the Year as the Sustainable Investment Manager of the Year to more closely align with market terminology. We have also merged the Impact Manager of the Year into this category.

We have removed the Cashflow-driven Investment (CDI) Manager of the Year category.

We have renamed the Equity Manager of the Year and Fixed Income Manager of the Year as Equity Innovation of the Year and Fixed Income Innovation of the Year.

We have renamed the Retirement Innovation of the Year category as DC Retirement Innovation of the Year, moving this category into our DC awards section.

Once again this year, the awards incorporate a range of Pension Scheme of the Year Awards categories – Pension Scheme of the Year, Best Pension Scheme Communications Strategy, LGPS Innovation of the Year and Best Pension Scheme Investment Strategy – dedicated to the achievements of pension schemes themselves. In addition to pension schemes entering these accolades on their own behalf, we also welcome entries on their behalf from their consultants and providers, providing the scheme has given its consent to the entries being submitted on their behalf.

The full list of categories for the 2027 awards is:

30th Anniversary Award

The UK Pensions Awards celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2027. To mark the occasion, we are introducing a one-off category that looks beyond the past year to recognise an organisation that has helped shape the UK occupational pensions market over three decades – celebrating consistently high performance, continuing innovation and a lasting commitment to trustees, sponsors and members.

30th Anniversary Award for Excellence

This one-off category is open to consultants, providers and asset managers that have served UK occupational pension schemes over the past three decades, whether under their current name or through predecessor businesses.

Entrants should demonstrate how they have delivered consistent performance, innovation and service over three decades, and how they continue to do so today.

Judges will look at the extent to which the entrant has:

• maintained high standards of service and delivered strong outcomes for pension schemes, trustees, sponsors and members over a sustained period; innovated and adapted to major changes in the market, such as shifts in regulation, the move from DB to DC, and changing investment and risk management practices;

• made a lasting contribution to the wider pensions industry, for example through new products, ideas, standards, research or education;

• earned the trust of clients over time, with evidence such as long-standing relationships, client retention and testimonials; and

• shown a continuing commitment to the future, including recent developments and plans to meet the needs of schemes and members in the years ahead.

Entrants should submit a concise narrative of their history and achievements, supported by examples and client endorsements where appropriate. Submissions from firms that have been in existence for at least 20 of the 30 years will be accepted. Please contact Professional Pensions if you are unsure whether your organisation is eligible.

Advisory Categories

Actuarial/Pensions Consultancy of the Year

This category rewards the actuarial or pensions consultancy that has delivered the most outstanding service to trustees and sponsors over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. It is open to firms advising on DB, DC, CDC and hybrid arrangements. Judges will look at the quality and clarity of advice provided, the extent to which clients have been helped to achieve better outcomes, innovation, and client service.

DC Consultancy of the Year

This category recognises the consultancy that has done most to help trustees, providers and employers with their DC arrangements over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Entrants should demonstrate the quality of their advice on areas such as scheme design, governance, investment strategy, value for money, decumulation and master trust or provider selection. Judges will look for evidence of innovation, client impact and the extent to which advice has led to measurable improvements for members.

Investment Consultancy of the Year

This category rewards the investment consultancy that has best helped clients meet their objectives over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Entrants should demonstrate the strength of their investment advice, manager research and selection, and portfolio construction, as well as how they have supported clients in areas such as asset allocation, sustainability and risk management. Judges will look for innovation, clear communication and evidence of positive outcomes for clients.

Pension Lawyers of the Year

This category looks to recognise the law firm that has excelled most over the 12 months to 31 December 2026 – whether in day-to-day advisory work, project work or in pensions litigation and dispute resolution.

Risk Reduction Adviser of the Year

This category recognises the adviser that has done most to help DB schemes reduce risk and progress towards their endgame over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. It is open to actuarial, investment, legal and other advisers supporting trustees and sponsors with buy-ins, buyouts, run-on, superfund and other risk reduction strategies. Judges will look at the quality of advice, the extent to which trustees were supported to understand and compare options, innovation, and the outcomes achieved for schemes, sponsors and members.

Fiduciary Evaluator of the Year

This category looks to recognise those firms that evaluate, select and monitor fiduciary managers. Judges will look at the rigour and independence of the evaluation process, how well firms have supported trustees in reaching and reviewing decisions, and the outcomes delivered for clients over the 12 months to 31 December 2026.

Sponsor Covenant / IRM Adviser of the Year

This category rewards the adviser that has delivered the strongest support to trustees in assessing and managing employer covenant and integrated risk management (IRM) over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Judges will look at the depth and clarity of covenant analysis, how advice has helped trustees to reach better-informed funding and investment decisions, the quality of engagement with sponsors, and innovation in approach, including in light of the revised DB funding code.

DC Categories

DC Pension Provider of the Year

This category recognises the commercial provider of workplace DC pensions that has delivered the best overall proposition to employers and members over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Judges will look at member outcomes and value for money, quality of service and administration, digital tools and communications, investment default design, and the support offered at and through retirement. Evidence of client and member satisfaction will be important.

DC Master Trust of the Year

This category rewards the DC master trust that has delivered the strongest outcomes for members and employers over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Judges will look at governance and trustee quality, investment performance and default strategy, charges and value for members, member engagement and service, retirement support, and evidence of growth and client satisfaction. Entrants should also reference how they are preparing for the new value for money framework and the Pension Schemes Act reforms, where relevant.

DC Investment Strategy of the Year

The DC Investment Strategy of the Year category rewards asset managers as well as commercial pension providers and DC master trusts. Judges will look at the extent to which you have evolved or developed new DC investment offerings or strategies over the 12 months to 31 December 2026 as well as how these have improved the value offering to members.

DC Innovation of the Year

The DC Innovation of the Year category is a wide-ranging category that rewards the firm, provider or master trust that has innovated most in the DC space in the 12 months to 31 December 2026. This could include the launch of new DC offerings, new consulting services, investment innovation, technology solutions and services, communication, guidance and advice offerings etc. Judges will look at the extent to which your firm, provider or master trust has developed new services, products and offerings for clients and the extent to which these innovations helped pension schemes, sponsors, trustees and scheme members.

DC Retirement Innovation of the Year

This category rewards the firm, provider or master trust that has done most to innovate in helping DC members at and through retirement during the 12 months to 31 December 2026. This could include new default or guided retirement solutions, income drawdown or annuity offerings, retirement tools, advice and guidance services, and communications. Judges will look at how well the innovation meets member needs, how it has been taken up, and the evidence of improved member outcomes.

Investment Categories

The following categories are only for entry by commercial third-party providers and not for pension schemes themselves. Pension schemes, including LGPS pools, should enter the Pension Scheme of the Year categories below. Should a pension fund have a genuine and substantial third-party investment business, they can enter the categories below, but the submission should particularly focus on how that offering has helped their third-party clients.

Investment Manager of the Year

This category rewards the asset manager that has best served UK pension scheme clients over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Entrants should demonstrate strong, consistent investment performance across their range, excellent client service and reporting, product innovation, and a commitment to the needs of DB, DC and LGPS investors.

Fiduciary/OCIO Manager of the Year

This category recognises the fiduciary or outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) manager that has delivered the best outcomes for pension scheme clients over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Judges will look at investment performance against client objectives, quality of governance and reporting, how effectively the manager has supported trustees in meeting their long-term goals, innovation, as well as client wins, service and retention.

Institutional Investment Platform Provider of the Year

This category rewards the platform provider that has done most to improve access, efficiency and transparency for institutional investors over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Judges will look at the breadth and quality of the investment range, innovation, technology and reporting capabilities, ease of onboarding and operation for trustees and consultants, cost transparency, and evidence of client growth and satisfaction.

Equity Innovation of the Year

This category recognises the manager that has shown the greatest innovation in equity investing over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. This could include new strategies, factor or thematic approaches, index and portfolio construction, sustainability-linked products or technology-led techniques. Judges will look at how the innovation addresses the needs of UK pension schemes, its investment rationale and evidence of performance, and uptake among clients.

Fixed Income Innovation of the Year

This category rewards the manager that has demonstrated the greatest innovation in fixed income over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. This could include new credit, sovereign or multi-asset credit strategies, cashflow-driven or buy-and-maintain approaches, or enhancements in sustainability integration or portfolio management. Judges will look at how the innovation meets the needs of UK pension schemes, the investment rationale, evidence of results, and client take-up.

Emerging Markets Manager of the Year

This category recognises the manager that has excelled in emerging markets investment over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Entrants should demonstrate strong risk-adjusted performance across equity, debt or multi-asset strategies, the depth of their research and local expertise, how they manage geopolitical, currency and ESG risks, and how their offering suits UK pension scheme investors.

Real Estate Manager of the Year

This category rewards the manager that has delivered outstanding results in real estate investing over the 12 months to 31 December 2026, across UK and international, listed and unlisted, and equity and debt strategies. Judges will look at risk-adjusted performance, income generation, asset management and active value creation, sustainability and energy transition progress in portfolios, and the suitability of the offering for UK pension schemes.

Private Equity Manager of the Year

This category rewards the asset manager that has demonstrated excellence in private equity investment – including venture capital, growth equity, and buyouts – over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Entrants should demonstrate strong investment performance, value creation within portfolio companies, effective risk management, and innovative structuring or co-investment opportunities tailored to UK pension schemes.

Private Debt Manager of the Year

This category recognises the manager that has excelled in private credit and debt markets – including direct lending, mezzanine finance, distressed debt, and asset-backed lending – over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Submissions will be evaluated on yield generation, credit quality and underwriting discipline, default management, and the alignment of strategy features with UK pension scheme income and cash-flow matching needs.

Infrastructure Manager of the Year

This category recognises the manager that has delivered outstanding results in infrastructure investing – including core, value-add, digital, energy transition, and social infrastructure, as well as natural capital – over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Judges will look for strong risk-adjusted returns, inflation protection, ESG and sustainability integration, and a clear commitment to delivering long-term value for UK pension schemes.

Multi-Private Market Solutions Provider of the Year

This category rewards the provider that has delivered the strongest multi-asset private markets solution for pension schemes over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. This includes funds of funds, evergreen or semi-liquid vehicles and managed private markets portfolios spanning private equity, private debt, infrastructure and real estate. Judges will look at portfolio construction and diversification, performance, liquidity management, fee transparency, accessibility for both DB and DC schemes, and client uptake.

Sustainable Investment Manager of the Year

This category aims to reward excellence among those managers who can best demonstrate how they integrate ESG across their product range, as well as those who offer specific ESG-focused funds and strategies, including impact investing. Entrants should focus specifically on how they have improved their ESG processes and performance during the year, and, for impact strategies, outline the objectives of their fund and how well they have met them and created a positive social or environmental impact. The award will focus on achievements made over the 12 months to 31 December 2026.

Liability-Driven Investment (LDI) Manager of the Year

This category recognises the manager that has delivered the strongest LDI solutions for UK pension schemes over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Judges will look at the quality of hedging and collateral management, resilience and liquidity of the portfolio in stressed market conditions, innovation in solutions (such as cashflow-driven approaches or use of private assets as collateral), reporting and client communication, and the ability to meet the varying needs of schemes of different sizes.

Other Categories

Pension Risk Transfer Provider of the Year

This category is open to insurers offering pension risk transfer (PRT) solutions such as buyout and buy-in as well as longevity swaps. Entrants will need to focus on innovations introduced or deals completed in the 12 months to 31 December 2026.

Run-on and Alternative Endgame Solution Provider of the Year

This category is open to DB master trust and superfund consolidators, to firms providing capital-backed journey plans and run-on solutions, and to other alternative endgame solutions (but not buyout/buy-in, which is covered by the Pension Risk Transfer Provider of the Year category). Please check with Professional Pensions if you are unsure as to whether your solution is eligible. Entrants should be able to demonstrate how their solution helps client schemes, sponsors and trustees, and the advantages for wider stakeholders such as scheme members, as well as new business wins in the 12 months to 31 December 2026.

Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award

This category is open to the providers, advisers and asset managers that provide services to occupational pension schemes and trustees as well as the industry organisations that support them. It aims to reward those organisations that best promote diversity and inclusion within their own workforce as well as those who have contributed to industry-wide initiatives in this area. Judges will, in particular, look at initiatives launched and conducted during the 12 months to 31 December 2026.

Independent Trustee of the Year

This category recognises the independent trustee firm that has made the greatest contribution to the schemes it serves over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Judges will look at the quality of governance and decision-making, the outcomes achieved for members, the support provided to sponsors and fellow trustees, expertise in areas such as DB endgame, DC, and complex projects, and the firm’s contribution to wider industry standards and understanding.

Third-Party Administrator of the Year

This category rewards the third-party administration (TPA) firm that has delivered the best service to pension schemes over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Judges will look at innovation; timeliness and service quality, client and member satisfaction, use of technology and automation; readiness for industry projects such as pensions dashboards; GMP equalisation, data quality, and the firm’s ability to attract and retain clients and staff.

Technology Innovation of the Year

This category recognises the organisation that has developed or deployed the most innovative technology for the pensions industry over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. This could include administration systems, data and analytics, artificial intelligence, member-facing platforms, modelling tools, or solutions supporting pensions dashboards. Judges will look at the originality of the technology, how it solves a real industry problem, the benefits to schemes, trustees and members, and evidence of adoption.

Pensions Communication Initiative of the Year

This category rewards the provider, adviser or organisation that has run the most effective communication or engagement initiative for pension scheme members over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Judges will look at clarity of objectives, creativity, use of technology and channels, how well the initiative reached and engaged its target audience, and measurable results such as improved understanding, engagement or member behaviour. Please note that pension schemes should enter the Best Pension Scheme Communications Strategy category.

Educational and Thought Leadership Initiative of the Year

The Educational and Thought Leadership Initiative of the Year category specifically aims to reward the organisation, consultancy or provider which has worked hardest to help trustees and employers understand the complex world of pensions and investments and those that have broken new ground in terms of pensions knowledge and understanding – either developing new ideas to help solve the issues pension schemes and trustees face or challenging current orthodoxies over the 12 months to 31 December 2026. Judges will look at the extent to which organisation, consultant and provider initiatives have helped trustees understand complex topics, make better decisions or look at things in a new way. Initiatives may include such things as thought leadership, research, articles, whitepapers, seminars, conferences, videos etc.

Pension Scheme of the Year Award Categories

The following categories are only open to non-commercial pension schemes. Commercial providers such as insurers offering GPPs, master trusts and consolidators should enter the provider awards above. We do, however, welcome employer entries that are supported or put forward by commercial providers, but they must be in the name of the client scheme or employer, not in the name of the provider themselves.

Pension Scheme of the Year

This category is open to both DB and DC schemes of all sizes but is not open to entry by commercial master trusts (which are covered by the DC Master Trust of the Year and Run-on and Alternative Endgame Solution Provider of the Year categories above). Judges assessing this category will be looking at innovations the scheme has made over the 12 months to 31 December 2026; what entrants have done to improve member experience, service and outcomes; improvements and innovations they have made to their investment strategy; and how they have successfully engaged and communicated with their members. It will also assess how funds have improved their governance and administration during the period as well as at-retirement processes as applicable. Best

Pension Scheme Investment Strategy

This category is open to DB and DC schemes of all sizes and LGPS funds and pools but is not open to entry by commercial group personal pension providers, master trusts or consolidators (which are covered by the other categories above). GPP providers and commercial master trusts are, however, allowed to put forward an entry on behalf of one of their employer or pension scheme clients. Judges assessing this category will be looking for evidence of an innovative investment strategy – particularly looking for evidence on how the design of the scheme’s strategy meets the scheme’s objectives; the implementation of new asset classes and strong investment performance over the 12 months to 31 December 2026.

LGPS Innovation of the Year

This category is awarded to the LGPS pool or individual LGPS fund that can demonstrate the biggest innovation of the year. Judges will look at the originality of the initiative over the 12 months to 31 December 2026, which could relate to investment, pooling, governance, member services, administration, communications or technology, and the evidence of its impact on members, employers and local taxpayers, and its potential to be adopted by other funds.

Best Pension Scheme Communications Strategy

This category is open to both DB, DC and CDC schemes of all sizes but is not open to entry by commercial group personal pension providers, master trusts or consolidators (which are covered by the Pensions Communication Initiative of the Year category above). GPP providers and commercial master trusts are, however, allowed to put forward an entry on behalf of one of their employer or pension scheme clients. Judges assessing this category will be looking for evidence of a successful communications or engagement project or strategy over the 12 months to 31 December 2026 – particularly looking for evidence on the effectiveness of its communication, the way it has used technology to support its strategy and any innovations it has employed.