CABI and IFIS

Background

The Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) Pension Scheme has two sections:

• the CABI section with approximately 950 members, and
• the IFIS section with approximately 75 members.

CABI is an international, inter-governmental, not-for-profit organisation that improves people’s lives by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment.

International Food Information Service (IFIS) is a not-for-profit academic publishing organisation with an ongoing commitment to supporting those studying and working in the sciences of food and health to access high quality research findings, and preserving integrity and accuracy in the fields of food and beverages research.

Independent Governance Group (formerly known as Ross Trustees Services Limited) is the chair and independent representative on the Scheme’s Trustee Board, appointed by CABI. Employer-nominated and member-nominated Trustee Directors complete the Trustee Board.

Objective

Following the transfer of the Scheme’s administration services to Aon, our challenge was to produce member newsletters of a similar style and quality to previous issues, while being constrained on budget due to the Scheme’s funding position.

Solution

Aon proposed two solutions:

• Basic newsletters – drafted in a similar style to previous issues with a generic design in line with CABI branding.
• Fully bespoke newsletters – allowing for a full review of content tone and style, proven behavioural bias techniques to increase engagement, and bespoke design and artwork to include initial visuals for comment.

We were impressed with both proposed solutions, but decided to proceed with the basic option due to the Scheme’s budget constraints.

Aon involved us at all key milestones throughout the process – at draft stage, design stage and ahead of print production. They sourced the mailing data and managed the full production process from start to finish.

Outcomes

We are delighted with the final newsletters produced. The content is clearer and easy to understand, the design is engaging and consistent with the high quality that our members have come to expect.

The significant improvements delivered by Aon come in the form of excellent project management which thereby freed up the Trustees to concentrate on other Scheme matters.

The project ran smoothly, to budget and to time, with all key milestones hit and all feedback received and properly actioned.

The project ran smoothly, to budget and to time, with all key milestones hit and all feedback received and properly actioned.

Aon was asked to maintain the final product in line with previous editions produced by the Trustee’s previous service providers. The project experience - now coordinated by Aon, - was a noticeable improvement on previous years.

We intend to continue working with Aon on other Scheme communications in addition to the 2024 newsletters.

How can we help?

For more information on our products or services, please get in touch by emailing us at [email protected] or calling us on 0344 573 0033.

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