Announcement: departure of Director of Lifelong Learning

It is with both gratitude and regret that we announce the departure of Dr Keith Hoodless, our Director of Lifelong Learning, who has stepped down from his role at the PMI. Over his tenure, Keith has played an instrumental role in shaping the future of the PMI’s qualifications, enhancing industry relevance, and strengthening regulatory compliance.

His leadership, innovation, and dedication have left a lasting impact on the organisation and the wider pensions industry.

Among his many achievements, Keith led the reorganisation of the PMI qualification suite into clear and structured "Pathways", addressing industry concerns around the focus and relevance of exams. This initiative has provided Trustees, Practitioners & Consultants, and Administrators with clearer, more specialised learning journeys tailored to their career development needs.

Keith also played a pivotal role in ensuring regulatory compliance, strengthening relationships with Ofqual, and securing PMI’s position as a stable and trusted awarding body. His work as Responsible Officer has ensured smooth statutory submissions and proactive engagement with regulators.

Under his leadership, the PMI saw a digital transformation in examinations, accelerating the adoption of technology and remote proctoring, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Keith is keen to acknowledge the dedication and stability of the PMI team, whose expertise and commitment have been instrumental in driving these achievements. The strength of the team has positioned the PMI as a leader in the field, earning recognition from analysts Plimsoll for financial stability, as well as from Ofqual. The organisation’s excellence has also been acknowledged through industry accolades, including the Association Excellence Awards—Silver in 2022 for Best Learning/Professional Development Programme and Bronze in 2021 for Best Online Learning and Professional Development Programme—as well as Winner of the prestigious Association Success Award for Best Digital Transformation.

Keith’s engagement with the industry has been a driving force behind ongoing improvements to qualifications and training materials, ensuring greater relevance and higher pass rates for candidates. His dedication to Modern Apprenticeship progression has resulted in PMI securing an additional eight end-point assessments, significantly enhancing vocational training opportunities in the industry.

Looking to the future, Keith spearheaded the development of a Pensions MBA, a pioneering Level 7 qualification aimed at equipping industry professionals with advanced business, commercial, and governance skills. While still in development, this initiative has already generated strong interest, particularly among Trustee groups.

We sincerely thank Keith for his outstanding contributions and wish him every success in his future endeavours. His impact on the PMI and the pensions industry will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.