Divested interest: Unlocking pension capital for the UK’s clean energy transition
Overview
Hear senior leaders from the pensions, finance, energy and policy spaces discuss what’s holding back billions in UK pension capital from powering the clean energy transition. We’re delighted to be joined by a fantastic panel for this event:
Lucy Shaw: Founder and CEO of Gordon Management and Co-Host of the Power Plays Podcast
Richard Nourse: Chair of Schroders Capital Infrastructure
Padmesh Shukla, CFA: Chief Investment Officer of the TfL Pension Fund
Laura Miranda: Chief Strategy Officer of Oxford PV
Ralph Ibendahl: Managing Director, Global Head of Energy Transition at RBC Capital Markets
Trevor Wills (Chair): CEO of Pulse Clean Energy
About
The UK needs unprecedented levels of investment to meet its clean energy ambitions, but capital isn’t flowing at the pace required. Despite the UK pensions sector managing nearly £3 trillion in assets, only a small proportion is currently being channelled into clean energy infrastructure. At the same time, 2026 is a watershed year for the pensions landscape, with major reforms, new investment guidance and the long-awaited rollout of ‘dashboards’ set to reshape how savers and trustees engage with their investments.
As recent geopolitical shocks highlight the volatility of fossil fuel reliance and debates over fiduciary duty intensify, one question still remains:
What’s stopping pension capital from powering the UK’s clean energy transition and how do we change it?
Join senior leaders from pensions, finance, energy and policy for a timely discussion that addresses the real barriers, risks, opportunities and mindset shifts required.
Discussion themes:
Can the UK pension system power the energy transition?
How small shifts in pension asset allocation could close the UK’s clean energy investment gap and how 2026’s regulatory changes may reshape attitudes to climate aligned investment, including the Government’s push for pension schemes to support UK-based growth assets such as infrastructure and energy.
What are the trade-offs between investing in fossil fuels and low-carbon alternatives?
Why do fossil fuels remain “safer” in the eyes of trustees? What role do policy clarity, ESG backlash and perceived technological risks associated with clean energy play, and how do global conflicts reshape the risk landscape for both fossil and renewable assets?
What can be done?
What needs to change in policy, market design, investment guidance, revenue stabilisation and trustee expectations? And what can the UK learn from Canadian pension funds’ direct investment approach?
Agenda
09:00-09:30 Light breakfast and networking
09:30-10:30 Panel discussion and Q&A
10:30-11:00 Refreshments and networking