We’re taking a look back at an article we developed for PMI Student Network Special Interest Group – an initiative launched last year, supporting learners on their path to professional qualifications within the UK pensions industry and beyond.
Why pensions? A look behind the scenes
Hi! We're Lumera, and we're here to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it's really like to work in pensions. We provide technology, data services, and consultancy to the industry; if you’ve heard of ITM or Profund, you’ll know us on some level. We acquired both and they’re now part of our broader service. We’re Swedish by origin, but through our acquisitions, we have supported the UK market for years and have a long history of supporting schemes, trustees and administrators.
We specialise in pension administration systems, data services, legislative consultancy, and system migration – areas where you'll likely find yourself working if you pursue a career in pensions.
Beyond this work, we're committed to supporting education and professional development in pensions. This is why we've partnered with PMI to sponsor this initiative and help students like you build the skills and knowledge you'll need to thrive in this industry.
Supporting our UK new joiners
When new people join Lumera, they're paired with experienced colleagues who act as mentors – sharing knowledge, answering questions, and helping them navigate their first few months. It's hands-on, practical support designed to get people up to speed quickly. Depending on business area and current experience, we also encourage our teams to pursue further professional development, whether that's through technology and programming qualifications or industry events. We support this by often covering costs, offering study time, and connecting people with the right opportunities.
Sharing our learning is equally important. We hold regular town halls and learn at lunch sessions where staff can share new insights with their colleagues. The topics are diverse, ranging from recent pension legislation changes to innovations that have developed within our technology. Some of our team members take this a step further by mentoring PMI students, while our own graduates benefit from being mentees themselves.
As a PMI corporate member, we encourage our employees to take advantage of PMI qualifications, events, and training. Our graduates in the UK consultancy area of the business are given the option to study for the Retirement Provision Certificate, which helps them build pensions knowledge quickly, while more experienced colleagues use PMI's resources to deepen their expertise.
Beyond the stereotypes
Pensions might have a reputation for being traditional, but the industry is tackling some genuinely modern challenges – from using AI to prevent identity fraud (a growing issue for pensioners) to building technology that helps people find pensions they didn't even know they had. It's an industry that's constantly evolving, and it needs creative, forward-thinking people to push it even further.
Many of our employees go beyond their day-to-day roles to volunteer with industry working groups and bodies, contributing their expertise to make pensions more secure, innovative, and fit for the future. For example, Maurice Titley, Lumera's Commercial Director, chairs PASA's Pensions Dashboards Working Group, which helps guide the industry through a major initiative. Here at the PMI, Dominic Croft, Chairman of the CPC Examination Committee, applies his knowledge to shape the qualifications that will test the next generation of pensions professionals.
Your next steps
As a PMI student signed up to this Special Interest Group, you’re already on the right track. Attend industry events where you can explore the topics we've discussed here in more depth – and we'd definitely recommend making use of your PMI membership to attend the PMI events. These are invaluable for understanding the real-world challenges and solutions shaping pensions, and they're also where you'll meet peers, mentors, and potential employers from across the sector. The pensions industry is more diverse than you might think, and the connections you make now could prove invaluable as your career develops.
