News

The defined contribution (DC) section of the Schroders Retirement Benefits Scheme (SRBS), chaired by BESTrustees professional trustee Lisa Mundy, has announced its investment in Schroders’ climate-focussed private assets long-term asset fund (LTAF), the Schroders Capital Climate+ LTAF. The SRBS has made a £48m investment – equalling 20% of the default growth fund – as it aims to provide greater diversification benefits and access to the ‘robust returns’ private markets can deliver. The strategy is to invest in a range of assets including infrastructure, real estate, private equity, natural capital and biodiversity through a combination of Schroders Capital and externally managed …

BESTrustees has announced its second professional trustee recruit of 2025 – with the arrival of former Grant Thornton covenant advisory partner Paul Brice. Paul joins BESTrustees after a prestigious career in Pensions, both in the Advisory side as a Partner at KPMG and Grant Thornton; and as an executive for nearly eight years for what is now Railpen, the Executive Company of the Railways Pension Scheme where he Chaired the Scheme’s Risk Management Committee. Paul has advised on a considerable number of covenant-related matters across a wide range of business sectors – including in relation to highly complex corporate transactions, …

The Trustees of the Carr’s Group Pension Scheme, chaired by Rachel Tranter of BESTrustees, have completed a c.£44m buy-in transaction with Aviva to cover 216 pensioner and 56 deferred members of the Scheme. Mercer acted as lead transaction adviser using its streamlined broking process. “I am delighted to have guided the trustees through the transaction process to achieve a successful outcome which further increases the security of our members’ benefits. This transaction was very much a collaborative teamworking effort involving the trustees, the Company (Carr’s Group plc), the insurer and our professional advisers all carrying out important roles throughout the …

The Trustee of the Low & Bonar Group Retirement Benefits Scheme, chaired by Hugh Creasy of BESTrustees, and Just Group plc, have completed a c.£50m full buy-in of all remaining uninsured members of the Low & Bonar GRBS. This marked the final step on the Scheme’s derisking journey. LCP acted as lead transaction adviser using its streamlined buy-in and buy-out service. The Scheme already held two existing pensioner buy-in policies, the first of which was secured with JUST back in 2015. LCP used its streamlined buy-in and buy-out service and the previous pensioner buy-ins were also completed through this service, …

BESTrustees is proud to announce that it has achieved certification from Cyber Essentials, recognising its dedication to cyber security. The certification means that the business now complies with the government-backed cyber security standard, an important step in ensuring the security of its business and offering reassurance to both clients and colleagues alike. Cyber Essentials is part of the government’s National Cyber Security Strategy to make the UK a safer place to conduct business online. The Cyber Essentials award is a key certification which relates to security controls and the secure configuration of an organisation’s computing resources. BESTrustees’ IT defences now …

BESTrustees has announced its fifth professional trustee recruit in the last three months – and the first of 2025 – with the arrival of Sanjay Gupta. His recruitment follows the recent arrivals of Alison Creasy, Sue Hunter, Russell Baird and Peter Redhead. Sanjay joins BESTrustees after a 35-year career as a consulting actuary, the last 25 of those as a Senior Director at WTW, where he held several scheme actuary appointments on pension schemes ranging from assets of £100m to over £1bn. Sanjay’s professional experience covers both DB and DC schemes, advising both trustees and employers, which gives him an …