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Selecting the right
fiduciary manager

Case studies

How we helped the trustees carry out an independent selection exercise, to work within its guidelines

The background

The sponsor investment guidelines for its pension scheme allowed the trustees greater investment freedom if manager selection and implementation were delegated to a fiduciary manager. Therefore, following an introductory training session, the trustees asked LCP to run a competitive tender process to appoint a fiduciary manager to manage all of the Scheme’s assets.

  • Medium-sized pension scheme with ~£250m in assets
  • Low hedging levels, due to previous guidelines, had seen the deficit widen in recent years

Our solution

After considering the entire universe of fiduciary managers, LCP invited a long-list of five suitable managers to submit a proposal setting out how they would manage the Scheme’s assets. LCP assessed the managers’ responses against both qualitative and quantitative criteria:

  • an analysis of the proposed portfolio
  • risk management processes
  • the managers’ ability to adapt to the Trustees’ specific requirements and beliefs
  • team experience and expertise
  • a comparison of performance and fees

From this, we identified a shortlist of three fiduciary managers who we invited to present to the Trustees and LCP on the selection day.

The results

LCP’s independence allowed us to run a comprehensive selection process, where proposals put forward were assessed by researchers with expert knowledge of the UK fiduciary management market. The Trustees are comfortable that they have selected the most suitable manager in the market, with the best possible fee terms, and that they have a clear audit trail detailing the rationale for this decision. The Trustees have valued our technical input into the appointment process, in what can otherwise be a lengthy negotiation of contracts.

LCP will continue to monitor the appointed fiduciary manager on a biannual basis to ensure that both fees and performance remain competitive relative to peers, risk procedures remain robust, and the mandate is managed in line with the Scheme’s objectives. We will also continue to provide the Trustees with strategic advice for example, setting investment objectives and monitoring the attractiveness of de-risking opportunities such as buy-ins and buy-out.

What do pensions professionals think about fiduciary management?

Fiduciary management is a hot topic, and has been a focus of the recent CMA review.  We ensure that clients fully understand the pros and cons, and help them to put in place the right arrangements for their needs

We identify and research investment managers that can generate the performance our clients expect.

We help monitor the performance of our clients investments so they can progress against their objectives.

Our team works with trustees and sponsors of pension schemes to help them maximise their investment returns, while ensuring risk is well managed.

Fiduciary oversight services

Fiduciary oversight services

Expert independent advice

Fiduciary management is a hot topic, and has been a focus of the recent CMA review. We ensure that clients fully understand the pros and cons, and help them put in place the right arrangements for their needs.

Fiduciary oversight services

Fiduciary oversight services

Expert independent advice

Fiduciary management is a hot topic, and has been a focus of the recent CMA review. We ensure that clients fully understand the pros and cons, and help them put in place the right arrangements for their needs.