Sections

The Pensions Regulator

Trustee register

Trustee register

Trustee register

The Pensions Regulator's role includes compiling and maintaining a trustee register. By doing so this promotes the objectives of the regulator, which includes protecting the benefits of members of work-based pension schemes.

For the purposes set out below, the regulator maintains a register of professional trustees, from which it will make professional trustee appointments. As the register currently extends only to professional trustees, the following information does not apply to lay trustees.

The purposes of the register are as described below. It is not to grant or imply any form of authorisation or approval of trustees on the register by the Pensions Regulator.

 Download the latest version of the trustee public register.

How the register is used

The regulator generally refers to the trustee register when deciding upon appointments under section 7 of the Pensions Act 1995.

Section 7 of the Pensions Act 1995 allows the regulator to appoint a trustee of a trust scheme where it is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in order to secure:

  • that the trustees as a whole have, or exercise, the necessary knowledge and skill for the proper administration of the scheme;
  • that the number of trustees is sufficient for the proper administration of the scheme; or
  • the proper use or application of the assets of the scheme.

Section 7 appointments are commonly made in respect of trustees on the register, but discretion to appoint non-register trustees in section 7 circumstances remains.

The regulator also uses the register in respect of appointments under sections 22 and 23 of the Pensions Act 1995 as amended. Under section 23(7) these new provisions are without prejudice to the powers conferred by section 7. Accordingly, there may be circumstances even where sections 22 and 23 apply, when the regulator decides that it would be appropriate to appoint a non-register trustee under section 7 where the section 7 powers apply.

New applications to the register

Applications are accepted from corporate and individual professional trustees.

Trustee companies need to complete Application Form A - Application for trustee companies for entry to the trustee register. All people in the company who are to undertake the overall management for appointments by the Pensions Regulator, including liaising with the regulator in respect of progress on any scheme, must also complete Form S1 - Individual's application for entry to the trustee register or key person's statement of relevant experience, fitness and propriety.

Professional trustees need to complete Form S1 to be considered for the trustee register.

The following guidelines are available:

Or we can post the application forms to you. If you would like a copy or have any queries, please contact the trustee services team on 01273 627 651 or email trustee.services@thepensionsregulator.gov.uk.