Independent Trustee Services Limited (‘ITS’) provides high quality, professional trustee and related services to occupational pension schemes.

Insolvency/Statutory Appointments

ITS was established in 1991 to provide insolvency related trusteeship to support the Insolvency Profession. ITS is recognised as a market leader bringing its specialised skills to the often difficult task of statutory trusteeship. These skills are derived from the depth and breadth of experience of ITS’s Board members and its staff. The Board includes technical and actuarial disciplines together with other experienced senior pensions professionals.

Technical professionalism alone is not enough to satisfy the role of a statutorily appointed Trustee. Sensitivity in dealing with the problems and concerns of Members and recognising the interests of all potential beneficiaries are examples of the extra dimensions that ITS brings to its appointments.

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OPRA Appointed Corporate Trustee

ITS is on OPRA’s panel of Corporate Trustees. It has been appointed to a number of diverse cases which require specialised skills, including:

• schemes where a dispute exists between the trustees and the employer
• schemes where the incumbent trustees are not considered to have the required knowledge
• schemes where suspected major fraud has occurred
• schemes winding up
• schemes with absent trustees

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Ongoing Trusteeship

ITS provides trusteeship to ongoing pension schemes, acting in a sole or joint capacity. Representation at all trustee meetings is provided by at least one director. Secretarial services are also available. Fee structures are agreed in advance.

The duties and responsibilities of a pension scheme Trustee have and will continue to increase in both scope and complexity. ITS seeks to ease the burden of lay trustees by providing professional support through sharing its experience gained in a variety of cases over many years.

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Pension Scheme Discontinuances

Unfortunately, this is an issue facing many trustees. It is an area which requires in depth experience. The very nature of our work gives ITS the skills to deal with this type of detailed assignment.

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Forensic Pension Services

Recognising the financial difficulties facing employers and trustees in maintaining a defined benefit scheme we have established a forensic pension service to provide guidance and advice to employers and trustees on restructuring and negotiating contribution compromise settlements.

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Bulk Trusteeship

ITS will accept bulk, Court appointed trusteeships for schemes winding up. In particular, ITS can provide these services to insurance companies with orphaned portfolios. Again, experience and professionalism in this specialised area allows ITS to provide high quality Trustee services, satisfying the requirements of members, employers, insurers and the regulatory authorities.

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