[SPONSORED CONTENT]
In this special edition of a Scottish Widows podcast, host Robert Cochran, innovation & engagement specialist is joined by Scottish Widows CEO Chira Barua for a fast-paced, insightful and often surprising conversation that looks back on a standout year – and ahead to an even more ambitious 2026.
Chira shares personal highlights from 2025, including record app adoption, rising Trustpilot scores and strong earnings growth. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the most inspiring meeting of the year, featuring a first glimpse of a Lloyds Investment AI Agent in action. Chira also explains how securing the Lloyds pension scheme into the Scottish Widows Master Trust has created the biggest innovation sandbox any CEO could hope for.
Looking forward, Chira sets out bold plans for 2026 – from expanding the role of AI Agents, to delivering more meaningful support for families, to accelerating progress in closing the gender financial gap. The conversation also tackles one of the most important questions for the future of financial services: what’s the difference between a public AI Agent and an FCA-regulated one, and what does this mean for savers?
And, in true Chira style, the episode begins not in a boardroom but in the wilds of India, searching for tigers – setting the tone for a conversation full of energy, curiosity and big ideas.
Listen to the podcast now – here
Read the latest news, expertise and thought leadership from Scottish Widows’ workplace pensions experts – here.
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