Announcing a New Documentary Series : ''Future Focus: The Evolution of European Pensions''
We are delighted to announce a new digital documentary series, marking the start of a collaboration between PensionsEurope and BlackRook Media.
About the Series
The series will demonstrate the important role of funded pensions in securing better retirement outcomes for citizens across Europe. Ensuring that people can retire with dignity and financial security is at the heart of the story we aim to tell. At the same time, the series will show how pension funds, through their long-term investments, contribute to broader societal goals. It will bring to life the human stories behind these systems and highlight their importance in tackling demographic shifts, reducing old-age poverty, and supporting economic growth.Using evidence-based storytelling, the series will examine the work and impact of our members across 22 European countries and beyond. These stories—told by the companies, associations, and individuals —will show how funded pensions are shaping a stronger, more resilient future for Europeans.
Together, We Will:
- Focus on improving pension coverage, closing gaps, and ensuring adequate retirement outcomes for all.
- Discuss the dynamics between European harmonisation and national sovereignty in pension policy.
- Explore the positive impact of funded pensions on Europe’s social and economic landscape.
- Examine sustainable and responsible investing, particularly ESG integration and innovation.
- Address the societal challenges posed by aging populations and the need for funded pensions.
- Stress how pension funds are adapting to economic volatility and public policy expectations.
- Celebrate international cooperation and knowledge sharing in the pension industry.
- Take a forward-looking view on how digitalisation and artificial intelligence can improve pension funds’ activities and deliver better outcomes to their participants.
What the Experts Say
“We are very pleased to contribute to this important project. Pensions are often complex and not easily accessible to citizens. At PensionsEurope, part of our mission is to raise awareness of the benefits of funded pensions and their positive impact on retirement security. We look forward to continuing our work in this area by bringing a human dimension to the story of pensions, sharing real-life experiences that illustrate their value. We hope this project will resonate with many and help make the importance of funded pensions more tangible and relatable.”
explains Matti Leppälä, Secretary General/CEO at PensionsEurope.
“We are proud to bring this ground-breaking series to life. Explaining significant issues with expert analysis we will also ensure that these sometimes complex stories are given a relatable, human face. Meaningful engagement with viewers within the industry and outside of it too is key for us.”
says Adam Harrod, Chief Content and Commercial Officer at BlackRook Media.
The company’s Managing Director is award-winning documentary maker Alan Rook, the former network Head of News for both ITV Breakfast in the UK and globally for the British Forces Broadcasting Service. He was also Editor of ITV’s network daytime show This Morning.
Alan is Creative Director for all films produced in partnership with PensionsEurope and will also work as a hands-on Executive Producer across the entire series in 2025 and 2026.
He said: “The themes we’ll explore in this series are very obviously important, affecting millions of lives. That macro picture is, we believe, best addressed with case studies that provide a truly emotional heart to the stories we tell. From the passion and commitment of innovators and thought leaders to savers themselves. We want to demonstrate impact – the benefits and the challenges.”.
Launch and Distribution
The series will premiere during European Retirement Week 2025, taking place from 24 to 28 November 2025. Held annually, this week-long initiative provides a vital platform to debate the future of pensions in Europe and raise public awareness of the need to save for retirement. This initiative, taking place annually in the last week of November, offers a platform for a wide range of stakeholders to debate the future of pensions in Europe and raise citizens’ awareness of the need to save for retirement and achieve pension adequacy.
Following that there will be an extensive distribution campaign which will provide visibility of our collective work through social media and traditional media around the world. We encourage the pensions community to have an exploratory conversation with Adam Harrod and his team at BlackRook Media to see whether this opportunity might be something of interest. To find out how you could get involved, please contact Adam now.
About BlackRook Media
BlackRook has delivered high-end documentary video content across EMEA and APAC since 2011. The company’s work has been nominated at the New York TV and Film Festival. TAs well as PensionsEurope they partner with the Association of MBAs, the Business Graduates Association, and other industry leaders like Sustainable Travel International, the World Bioenergy Association and in the UK, the Association of Chie Executives. BlackRook’s Events TV teams provide global editorial and technical services too, including – for the last decade – live-streaming for Sibos, the world’s biggest financial services event.
