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    Defined benefit pension schemes

    DB pension schemes

    Defined benefit (DB) pension schemes are maturing rapidly, presenting new challenges for their investment strategies as a growing proportion of their members retire. At the same time, strengthening funding positions have created an opportunity to benefit more stakeholders. We have partnered extensively with our clients to navigate these changes.

    Industry-leading expertise

    We are working with many Irish pension schemes, ranging from some of the largest in the country to many smaller schemes, to develop tailored solutions that help them resolve a range of challenges, including:

    • achieving a target of buy-out or self-sufficiency within a decade for many pension schemes,
    • pursuing their objective despite paying out more in pensions than they receive in investment income or sponsor contributions, and
    • fulfilling existing and emerging regulatory requirements, such as reporting on climate risk metrics.

    Insight has long been at the forefront of helping pension schemes respond to such challenges through changing market environments. We were among the first to offer innovative Euro denominated LDI solutions for hedging interest rates and inflation to the Irish market.

    • We are widely recognised as a leading liability-driven investment (LDI) provider for pension schemes.
    • As pension schemes approach their endgame, many are seeking a more resilient approach to risk management. In response, we have developed our Integrated Solutions
    • As a leading provider of fixed income solutions Insight offers fully integrated portfolio management services, combining LDI with corporate bonds and other fixed income investments.
    • In the face of rapidly changing markets, investment approaches and regulatory developments, trustees have a clear need for ongoing updates on the issues that matter. For many years, we have offered highly regarded training sessions for trustees to help them make more informed decisions.

    To discuss how we might help you and your pension scheme, please contact Julie O'Connor.

    Meet some of our team

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    Colm McDonagh

    Chief Executive Officer, Insight Europe

    Colm McDonagh

    Chief Executive Officer, Insight Europe

    Colm is CEO of Insight Investment Management (Europe) Limited, Insight’s EU-domiciled entity headquartered in Dublin since his appointment in December 2020. He joined Insight in 2008 as Head of Emerging Market Fixed Income, responsible for the investment team and associated products globally. He is a senior member of the global investment management team, the Global Research Macro Group, and Chair of Insight’s Sovereign ESG Group.

    He has 25 years’ experience of working in the financial services industry (23 years in asset management) across a number of senior positions. Prior to joining Insight, he had roles as a partner at Hydra Capital and as Head of EM Debt at Aberdeen Asset Management. He started his career at Bank of America in 1996. Colm obtained his Bachelor of Business and Legal Studies degree from University College Dublin.

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    Thomas Donohoe

    Chief Investment Officer, Insight Europe

    Thomas Donohoe

    Chief Investment Officer, Insight Europe

    Thomas joined Insight in August 2019 with responsibility for overseeing investment management activities associated with Insight’s funds. Thomas is the Designated Person for Investment Management Oversight and the Chief Investment Officer for Insight Investment Management (Europe) Ltd. Prior to joining Insight, Thomas had over 10 years’ experience as an investment consultant with LCP and Aon Hewitt providing specialist advice to institutional pension scheme trustees on investment strategy, risk management and investment manager research. Thomas graduated from University College Dublin with a Bachelors in Actuarial & Financial Studies (first class honours) and is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

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    Julie O'Connor

    Consultant Relations Director, Insight Investment Management (Europe) Ltd

    Julie O'Connor

    Consultant Relations Director, Insight Investment Management (Europe) Ltd

    Julie joined Insight in October 2022 as a Consultant Relations Director. Julie joined Insight from Vanguard Asset Management having joined as Head of Distribution Change Management in 2017, subsequently moving to be Manager of Distribution and Branch Oversight for Vanguard’s European funds’ business for three years. Julie began her career at Allied Irish Bank, moving on to spend six years as a Valuations Manager for Bank of New York Mellon and subsequently at M&G Investments. Julie has a Professional Diploma in Financial Advice and Professional Certification as a Designated Person in a Fund Management Company from University College Dublin. She is a Qualified Financial Adviser.

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