Mike Birch appointed to Scottish Widows Master Trust
Scottish Widows have announced that Mike Birch has joined its Master Trust as a trustee. Mike joins their trustee board that includes Jonathan Reynolds (chair), Joanne Fairbairn, Cheryl Black and Gerald Wellesley. On his appointment, Mike was delighted with the news: “Scottish Widows Master Trust is on an ambitious growth trajectory, so it’s a great […]
My fond farewell
It’s been a great ride for me at Vidett during almost 10 years at the firm. We were originally known as HR Trustees, when I joined the company straight from a career in banking. Back then I was still a trustee of the Bank of New York Hybrid Pension Plan, where I had served for […]
Mark Cliff joins PLSA West Midlands Group line-up
Client Director Mark Cliff joined as a guest speaker at the PLSA West Midlands Group’s in-person event on Thursday 3rd April from 3.30pm – 5.00pm. Taking place in Gowling WLG’s office at Two Snowhill, Birmingham, B4 6WR, the event kicked off with a panel discussion looking at Clara Pensions’ first transactions, with speakers: There was […]
The great DB debate
Despite the decision to join a master trust sitting with a pension scheme’s sponsor, the trustee’s view remains important. Pension scheme journeys are a partnership between sponsors and trustees; both wanting the best outcomes for scheme members. As responsible trustees, we need to consider which schemes the master trust approach might be right for and […]
Death-in-service: Inheritance tax & Budget impacts
Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget has aimed to “make the inheritance tax system fairer” by making changes to death-in-service rules and inheritance tax, such as adding tax to unspent pension pots. Will death-in-service payments paid via discretionary trusts be affected when the changes go into effect on 6 April 2027? How will you be affected? We […]
Mark Cliff appointed chair of FMT
Mark Cliff – a Vidett client director – will join joining Fidelity Master Trust (FMT) board in January 2025. Taking over the FMT responsibilities from the departing Kim Nash in April 2025, Mark will bring his focus on large complex defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) pension schemes. He joins FMT from Legal & […]