Client feedback

“Ever increasing regulation has placed a heavy burden on trustees both in terms of time and the risk of non-compliance. PSGS has the experience and the resources to help trustees manage these burdens.”
Mark Atkinson,
Partner at CMS Cameron McKenna
“I wanted to look at the effectiveness of our trustee board, so Gillian, our PSGS scheme secretary, provided their trustee self-assessment tool to help me gather thoughts and opinions from others on the board. The tool was extremely easy to use and asked all the right questions to help me collect the information I needed as Trustee Chair. It is a great example of the way PSGS shares knowledge with their clients and makes dealing with key governance issues easy. As well as enabling me to meet one of the Regulator’s 21st century trusteeship requirements, using the tool has flagged trustee training needs and ways we could improve trustee meetings further. ”
Claire Silvester,
Vector Aerospace
“Excellent and comprehensive training course. I will definitely refer to what I've learned and received. ”
Kyp Kyprianou,
Bam Construction UK Ltd
“​I enjoy working with PSGS and we have a very positive relationship. I was new to pensions and found them very helpful.”
Bruce Allison,
RTUK
“I found the trustee training really beneficial, highly recommended. I am not a trustee, I represent the employer and I think it will be valuable for me in future, having a better understanding of the trustees' perspective.”
Dave Strain,
Royal Yachting Association
“Excellent communication - the trustee training course facilitators were clearly knowledgeable and very experienced in their field and able to convey concept and information in a way I was able to understand. ”
Phillipa McFadyen,
RSPCA
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Fiduciary manager selection

The use of fiduciary management by pension schemes is growing but the market has suffered from historical conflicts. Many pension trustee boards need help to improve knowledge and run competitive tenders for fiduciary manager selection following the CMA review.


The decision on a fiduciary manager is important – don’t make it lightly. Unwinding it can be difficult and expensive.

PSGS is a knowledge leader and can run tenders for fiduciary management mandates for pension trustee boards (whether or not we are appointed as professional trustee or scheme secretary). Our professional trustees can provide the robust dialogue and challenge needed with consultants and providers in the fiduciary manager market.

We have many independent trustee appointments where we have fiduciary managers in place and many where we have the traditional consulting model. We can help pension trustees understand what is right for them. We have no fixed view either way – what’s key is we share our knowledge to help trustees make the right choice for them.

Pension trustee considerations

Fiduciary management is a complex area with several different types of provider with varying strengths and weaknesses. Without expert knowledge, ensuring you’re buying what you think you’re buying can be hard.

Case study

The issue: we were appointed to a new client and attended our first pension trustee meeting that same day. The trustees had taken investment advice and were about to act on this advice and implement a revised strategy.

During the discussion on this agenda item, it became clear the advice the trustees had received (and were about to implement) didn’t match what they were actually looking for.

The result: although it was our first meeting, we were able to support the trustees in re-examining the decision. By explaining the difference between what it is they understood they were getting (full fiduciary management) and what they would be getting if they went ahead as planned. We then helped the board select a new investment adviser and progress to implement an appropriate solution shortly thereafter.

PSGS’ independent team help pension trustees work through all the areas that need to be considered, for example:

  • Does the current governance framework optimise investment performance and progress along the pension scheme’s journey plan?
  • Is the sponsor supportive of fiduciary management?
  • What do the trustees want to achieve?
  • Have they agreed their investment beliefs?
  • Can current issues be fixed with a better investment consultant or improved governance?
  • Are they aligned on risk and hedging parameters?
  • Are trustees mentally ready to outsource?
Competitive tenders for fiduciary managers

Following a CMA investigation, pension trustees are required to put fiduciary mandates out to tender if:

  • they are outsourcing 20% or more of scheme assets for the first time; or
  • they have an existing fiduciary mandate that was not subject to a competitive tender when it was put in place.

The PSGS service helps you:


  • address all the trustee considerations
  • understand the difference between providers
  • identify potential ‘showstoppers’ in a manager or approach
  • compare fiduciary manager performance effectively
  • compare fiduciary management pricing effectively
  • ensure all CMA tender requirements are met
  • select the best fit provider for your particular needs

We also offer specialist trustee training on fiduciary management and other areas of pension scheme investment.

Download our fiduciary management service flyer

To find out more about how PSGS can help you with your new fiduciary manager selection process or meet the requirements for a competitive market test of an existing fiduciary mandate, contact us online or call 0845 313 0024.

Speak direct to our specialist in this area
Picture of Gerald Wellesley Client Director at PSGS

Gerald Wellesley

Client Director
Email Gerald
Or call us on:

0845 313 0024

Read more

Professional Pensions article

What independent trustees think of the CMA review

PSGS blog

Are you sure you know what you’re buying?

PSGS hot topic

Fiduciary management - expert knowledge really does help

PSGS fiduciary management selection service

Unconflicted, specialist procurement for pension trustees

PSGS case study

Fiduciary manager selection

Call: 0845 313 0024

online enquiry