First, refer to your scheme's trust deed and establish who has the power under the deed to appoint a new trustee to your scheme. This is often an employer power. A deed of appointment must then be drafted and signed, to formally appoint the new trustee to the scheme. Once the deed is fully executed, the Pensions Board and Revenue will need to be advised of the new appointment.

To organise the appointment of Independent Trustee to your scheme, please contact us or alternatively please complete the Initial Questionaire.

Our fee is based on the type of scheme - defined benefit or defined contribution - and on the number of current members. To get a specific quote for your scheme, please contact us.

• We are independent trustees with no affiliation to any service providers.
• We take a hands-on approach to trusteeship. We will review all claims, transfers, and retirements, etc before finalising.
• We hold at least two trustee meetings yearly. We like to meet with the administrator, investment manager, and employer and member representatives every six months to ensure the smooth running of the scheme. Depending on the size of a scheme or if unusual issues arise (such as a death claim or funding proposals), more frequent meetings may be needed, which we are happy to accommodate.
• We are glad to meet with members or other parties to discuss any matters that arise. We strive to keep the lines of communication open.
• We always look for the practical solution to any issues that arise.
• We have excellent staff with both pensions expertise and years of experience working in the area of trusteeship.

When a decision is to be made, the first point of reference is to the scheme’s trust deed. This will usually clarify who the decision-maker is in that particular circumstance. Where the decision rests with the trustee and the independent trustee is the sole trustee, they should firstly consult with all relevant bodies and, where appropriate, look for expert advice before making a decision. Where the independent trustee acts as co-trustees, they should do the above in conjunction with their co-trustees and then put the decision to a vote. If there is an impasse, the chair of the trustees may often have a casting vote under the deed. The trustees should ensure that a practical solution is decided on. They should also ensure that all decisions are documented along with the reasons for arriving at the decision. This is normally done through minutes.

An independent trustee is generally paid by the employer, but can also be paid from the scheme funds.

We meet with the scheme administrator at least twice a year and have an administration report completed. This meeting and report cover all the possible scheme events that must or may occur each year. We monitor the procedures in place to make sure they are still working. If they are not, we work with the administrator and employer to find a solution.

We maintain a log of all our schemes, which records all the key dates and reporting requirement deadlines. This is reviewed at the start of each month. Regular reminders are issued to ensure that reports, statements or valuations are prepared on time and reviewed, for information and compliance purposes. We work with the scheme actuary, administrator, auditor or investment manager to produce these documents.

We keep up to date with all legislative, regulatory and best-practice changes. We do this by monitoring government, industry and media sources. We also produce our own update guides for our schemes and provide comment on changes or proposed changes.

We can act as co-trustees with other trustees. These can be the existing, new or member trustees. We can also provide a director to be appointed to a trustee company established by the employer company.

In working with the other service providers to the scheme, such as an investment manager, actuary or administrator, we ensure that procedures are in place for all the regular and ad-hoc events that arise on pension schemes.