Our First 'Meet Just' Event

Meeting the people behind the pensions

Joe was proud of the work he did during his long career at GKN. Over many years, he developed his skills to become a master polisher - a role that demands precision, patience and pride in craftsmanship. It was a job that reflected his commitment and loyalty to the business, and one he spoke about with pride when we met him last week.

Joe was one of the attendees at our recent Meet Just event for members of the GKN Pension Scheme. Joe’s dedication, and the work of his colleagues, is reflected in their Defined Benefit (DB) pensions, designed to provide certainty and security for the rest of their lives. Working with the scheme’s trustees and the sponsor to secure a buy-in, then to complete the de-risking journey to buy-out, the members of the scheme are now Just Customers and Meet Just was an opportunity for us all to meet in person.

Why this matters

For customers, the process of moving through a pension buy‑out can feel unsettling. Decisions are made by trustees, new names appear on letters, and the organisation now responsible for paying pensions can feel distant or unfamiliar. It’s not surprising that people have questions and concerns.

That’s exactly why we host events like Meet Just.

We want to meet the people whose pensions we look after. And, more importantly, these sessions are an opportunity to reassure customers that their pension is secure, well looked after, and will continue to be paid for as long as it’s needed.

We know that clear information, face‑to‑face conversations and genuine reassurance play a crucial role in building trust. We also know that member experience is just as important as financial security and it’s a crucial consideration for the Trustees we work with.

By creating space for open conversation, we aim to help customers understand what a buy‑out really means for them. And for them to leave knowing that their pension is, in fact, more secure than ever before.

A day designed around our customers

Held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the event brought together over 80 members and guests, making it our largest DB member event to date. The location was chosen for its accessibility to members living in the Midlands, as well as its alignment with our sustainability values.

Customers had the opportunity to meet the Just team, learn more about how their pension is supported, and speak directly with the people responsible for looking after it. We were also joined by partner organisations including Aptia, HUB Pension Consulting, Rest Less and Hourglass, all of whom share our commitment to supporting people through later life.

Throughout the day, our teams were on hand to answer questions which ranged from the practical details of pension administration to broader concerns about long‑term security.

Listening as much as explaining

For Laura Pertile, Director of Member & Operational Services, the event was a powerful reminder of why this work matters:

“It was an absolute privilege to meet our customers face to face. Hearing people talk about their working lives, and knowing that we now play a role in supporting their retirement, brings real meaning to what we do every day.”

Alex Collins, Head of Member & Client Services, echoed the importance of listening as well as informing:

“The aim of the Meet Just event was to help customers feel reassured, informed and genuinely supported. Just as importantly, it gave us the chance to listen and to understand what really matters to them and to answer their questions directly.”

Reassurance that makes a difference

The feedback from customers reflected just how valuable that interaction was:

• “Amazing — everything so organised and very welcoming. Learned a lot about so many things. A big thank you.”

• “I am very glad we came and feel reassured now I’ve got the answers to my questions.”

• “Very good presentation. Well informed. Found it very reassuring. Well done everyone.”

• “It was brave of you to meet us as customers. Normally we never see a face. The event was a great idea. Do it again.”

• “Just team seem very accessible.”

• “Nice to meet the team. Know who you are. Thank you.”

Several customers arrived feeling uncertain. Many left smiling, more confident, and reassured about the future - exactly the outcome we hoped for.

Looking ahead

Meet Just is about more than a single event. It’s about recognising that behind every pension is a person, a working life, and a story like Joe’s. Meeting customers face to face helps us stay focused on what matters most - delivering security, clarity and a positive experience, today and in the years ahead.

We’ll be building on this success with more member events in the future because meeting the people we work for will always be worth it.