Meet the everyday investors

Your pension savings are invested. If you thought that means suited stockbrokers making fast-paced deals behind the scenes, you’d probably be surprised.

In reality, you’re the investor.

After all, it’s your money that’s hard at work. And it’s often put in projects closer to home – and in ones that benefit your local community.

Take the Lincs windfarm. It’s not just an integral part of the Grimsby economy. It’s part-owned by you and millions of Nest members as one of the thousands of investments you hold.

We’re on a mission to help people understand that investing isn’t just for the privileged few.

We took three Grimsby residents to Lincs to see exactly where their pension savings go. Here’s what they had to say…

Lincs wind farm Grimsby

Meet Helen, business analyst and pension investor

Helen was born and bred in Grimsby. She works for XceCo, an asset management company that operates UK wind farms.

Like many of us, Helen thought investing was out of reach for most people. She had no idea that she was an investor in the types of wind farms she helps to manage, all through her Nest pension. She’s proud that her pension savings are put to work in sustainable projects like this.

Are you proud of where your money goes?

"I don’t class myself as an investor, but I obviously am. You usually think of someone in London in a suit, but we’re all investors through our pensions.

I was surprised to find out my pension was invested in something like this. It’s not something I’d thought about before.

Sustainability is important to everyone in society. You’re investing in something that’s not only going to help you, but also future generations to come.

I wish people could see where their money was going and how it benefits the local community. It’s great to see the changes in my town.

It makes you proud of where your money is going."

Helen, Nest member for 18 months

Meet Steve, communications officer and pension investor

Steve works for Grimsby Community Energy. This cooperative generates renewable energy for the local community.

Little did Steve know that every time he put money into his pension, he was helping to fund renewable energy for hundreds of thousands of homes around the UK.

He’s now inspired to explore where his pension savings are invested, knowing there’s a good chance it’s going into projects and companies he’s passionate about.

"It’s not something I’ve ever thought about, where my pension is actually invested. Your pension is just something that comes out of your pay packet at the end of the month. But to find out that Nest actually invest heavily in renewable energy is a wonderful thing. I thought it was mostly in stocks and shares.

Coming out here today to see it in action is fantastic. It’s providing jobs, providing security for families in the area. It’s impressive.

I’d probably say I see myself as an investor now. It’s great to understand where your money actually goes. In the future, I’m going to research this more. And hopefully it’s going into projects like this.

It really does make you think Nest is a great company to have my pension with."

Steve, Nest member for six months

Meet Pete, local fishmonger and pension investor

Pete works in Grimsby fish market. He’s spent ten years looking out at the wind turbines spinning on the horizon but had no idea that he part-owned them as a Nest member.

He’s proud that his pension savings are invested so close to home, having seen how it’s improved his community.

"The windfarm has completely changed Grimsby. And for the better.

The boats that service the windfarms are usually rented from local companies, which brings in business to local fishermen. The docks have also transformed over the years. They’ve become more alive. It’s now one of the busiest places in Grimsby.

Before this trip, I thought that all investments were in stocks and shares. I didn’t realise that you could invest in infrastructure projects too. I was even more surprised to find out that my money goes into things right on my doorstep that I see most days from work.

Knowing that my money is going into things life windfarms makes me feel good that it’s having an impact on the world."

Pete, Nest member for 10 years

Meet the everyday investors

Meet Helen, business analyst and pension investor

Meet Steve, communications officer and pension investor

Meet Pete, local fishmonger and pension investor

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