Client feedback

“PSGS offered the right support at very short notice, at reasonable cost, when we really needed it”

Ian Edwards,

Chair of Trustee, Comet Pension Scheme

“Where PSGS are appointed to act in conjunction with an existing body of trustees, we have found that they are quickly able to fit in well and gain the trust and respect of their co-trustees. ”

Duncan Buchanan,

Partner at Hogan Lovells

“These days, Boards need real expertise on tap (with excellent back-up) to cope with a constantly evolving and more regulated environment. PSGS is geared to delivering that.”

Ray Pygott,

Partner at KPMG LLP

“Highly informative. Having leading professionals deliver the TKU course really adds value.”

Jonathan Williams ,

Bangor University

“Clare Owen has been a really excellent scheme secretary”

“Many organisations and people provide the services that clients need. In my opinion, the differentiator is in the way those services are provided and to that extent, Kathy embodies the qualities that I have come to value from PSITL. Kathy is organised but not fussy; diligent but not dogmatic; persistent without being pushy and compliant in a pragmatic way. Whilst she takes ownership and drives issues forward, Kathy is a team player who uses her and her colleagues experience to provide services to her trustee client whilst working closely with those like me representing the sponsoring employer. She works collaboratively with advisers but constructively challenges the scope of services, fees and service standards whenever necessary and makes sure that member needs are always taken into account. I enjoy working with her and trust that she will deliver what is required by the trustee and the members they represent in a manner satisfactory to the sponsoring employer. ”

Stuart Barker,

Internal Pensions Consultant, RSPCA

2020 – what a year!

Topic:

Hot topic

Date published:

Monday, 21 December 2020

Author:

Curtis Mitchell

If stockpiling toilet paper, PPE, viability of deficit reduction contributions (DRCs), remote working and lockdowns weren’t enough, I’ve been thinking about all the additional challenges pension trustees and scheme secretaries have had to contend with over the past few months:

Covid-19 meant for many clients an in-depth assessment of ‘going concern’ became an unexpected hurdle for the annual audit of trustee report and accounts.
Then there was the scramble to sign off accounts by the end of September to ensure implementation statements were not required for another year.
For the schemes signed off since 1 October, we’ve had to figure out what goes into the implementation statement and what doesn’t!
Since 10 December, we’ve all had to do the rather bizarre compliance and certificate email to CMA to meet the deadline of 7 January 2021…

The Pensions Regulator ended the year with the introduction of the ‘pledge’ campaign to combat pension scams encouraging trustees, providers and administrators to sign up with best practice. This seems to have hit exactly the right note and I’m pleased this is clearly going to keep us busy over the months to come.

It’s been a difficult year for many and I’m sure we will all be happy to see the back of it, but on behalf of everyone at PSGS, we hope you have a safe, relaxing festive season and we look forward to working with – and hopefully seeing – you in 2021!

Oh and I can't forget the virtual meeting catch phrase of 2020 has to be ”You’re on mute!”.

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