Hymans Robertson has launched a service to help corporates strengthen governance of their defined benefit (DB) pension schemes amid rising regulatory scrutiny.

The service aims to help companies develop a thorough scheme oversight and ensure that the right people are involved in strategic decision-making, which Hymans Robertson said is particularly important as schemes move toward endgame planning. The service is also designed to help corporates enhance collaboration with trustees and create greater consistency in governance policies. According to the consultancy, the service will support schemes in aligning with the regulatory direction of travel and provide assurance on governance standards. It also aims to ensure trustee effectiveness, helping companies demonstrate to The Pensions Regulator (TPR) that all necessary elements have been considered to meet the needs of their scheme members. Hymans Robertson head of corporate governance, Laura Andrikopoulos, said: “DB pension scheme decisions are becoming much more complex, particularly as schemes head towards endgame and now with the added complexity of surplus management. With increased regulatory scrutiny, especially on trustee appointments and oversight, the ability to demonstrate robust, fit-for-purpose governance is critical.”

The Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) and Moorfield Group have partnered on a £120m 440-home build-to-rent development in Trafford, Greater Manchester.

The investment by GMPF into the development, named Podium, was completed through the Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund, which is advised by CBRE. The project will be delivered by developer Glenbrook and main contractor Domis Construction, with the first phase set to be completed in the second quarter of 2026. Several decarbonisation initiatives at the construction and operational stages are planned as part of an environmental, social and governance (ESG)-linked development agreement between Moorfield and Glenbrook.

Quilter has partnered with Zedra to make it easier for advisers and clients to appoint professional trustees for Quilter trusts.

This move comes amid increasing interest in trusts as a tool for inheritance tax (IHT) mitigation, driven by frozen IHT bands, rising house prices, and upcoming pension fund regulations. Through the partnership, Zedra can be appointed as a trustee to manage both new and existing Quilter trusts, handling tasks such as trust setup, registration, IHT calculations, ongoing services, and actioning withdrawals. Additionally, Quilter trust clients will also benefit from discounted fees compared to appointing Zedra directly. This partnership builds on Quilter’s broader initiatives, including its Lifestyle Trust policy fund management tool and its suite of ‘how-to’ guides for each of its trusts.

---