Standard Life Celebrates First Anniversary of Trustee Accelerator Programme with plans to extend across the industry

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• Innovative trustee training programme inspires wider industry engagement to support trustee development
• Standard Life in collaboration with the Pensions Management Institute, announce plans to extend Trustee Accelerator Programme at scale industry-wide

Standard Life’s Trustee Accelerator Programme – an industry-first initiative designed to develop pension trustees of the future with the skills and networks needed to thrive in the pensions sector - celebrates its one-year anniversary with plans to extend the Programme industry-wide.

Since its launch, the Programme has recorded numerous successes, with all 12 trainees from the inaugural cohort continuing their learning journey through formal training in conjunction with the Pensions Management Institute (PMI), a mentor programme and Trustee and Board shadowing opportunities.

The industry response has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong support from key organisations including the PMI, Nest, USS, SAUL, Standard Life’s Master Trust Board and Independent Governance Committee, as well as clients such as Amey. This enthusiastic backing underscores the importance of the Trustee Accelerator Programme in fostering a more inclusive, representative and well-equipped pipeline of future trustees.

Donna Walsh, Trustee Accelerator Programme Sponsor and Head of Master Trust and IGC at Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group said: “Reaching the halfway point with our first intake of trustee trainees is a considerable milestone. In 12 short months we have proven that there is an industry-wide desire to develop and diversify the make-up of pension boards to ensure they are more reflective of the pension scheme members they represent. Some of the biggest names in pension provision from Nest to USS have come on board to support the Programme and this has undoubtedly contributed to its overwhelming success. With momentum building month-on-month, we are pleased to reveal that we are working with the PMI and other industry groups to extend the Trustee Accelerator Programme across the industry, at scale, to create even further opportunity and inclusivity in the make-up of pension boards in the future.”

The Programme’s trustee trainees have successfully completed three introductory pensions modules, half of the PMI modules, and additional bespoke training sessions and webinars designed to bring pension theory to life. The Programme’s success has inspired broader industry engagement, with organisations from other sectors expressing interest in adapting the Trustee Accelerator Programme to support training and progression into non-executive director (NED) roles. The success of the Trustee Accelerator Programme has prompted Standard Life and the PMI to explore scaling the Programme further.

Helen Forrest Hall, Chief Strategy Officer at the Pensions Management Institute said: “The Trustee Accelerator Programme is an incredible initiative that has driven real-world impact, bringing non-pensions people into the sector and giving them the tools and knowledge to progress in their careers. We have been delighted with how it has been received across the industry too, and to be working with Standard Life on ways to evolve the Programme even further to address the growing need for skilled, knowledgeable, and diverse pensions professionals across the pension sector and beyond.”

With most trainees entering the Programme with little to no pensions experience, the Trustee Accelerator Programme has made significant strides in bridging knowledge gaps. One of the Programme’s standout achievements is the appointment of trustee trainee, Dean Dennis, as Chair of the London Leadership Board for Business in the Community London. His accomplishment reflects the Programme’s commitment to developing impactful leaders.

Reflecting on the Trustee Accelerator Programme, trustee trainee, Dean Dennis said: “The Trustee Accelerator Programme offered me an exceptional opportunity to learn firsthand from the USS Pensions committee, shaping my understanding of the complexity of the pensions landscape and of the role of the Trustee in managing positive outcomes for the members. Working with my mentors has also enabled me to gain a deep understanding of both the positive impact of the pensions sector and the challenges in terms of ensuring that more people are planning their financial futures adequately. Based on my experience, expanding the Programme further is a must.”

As the Trustee Accelerator Programme enters its second year, and the first trainees focus on completing and graduating from the Programme in the Spring of 2026, Standard Life remains dedicated to nurturing diverse talent, empowering future trustees, and driving meaningful change across the pensions landscape.

ENDS
 

 

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Notes to editors

Trustee Accelerator Programme:

To help diversify the pension boards of tomorrow Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, developed and launched a unique programme to identify and train non-pension industry employees as pensions trustees. The first intake of 12 trainees to the Standard Life Trustee Accelerator Programme are now entering the second year of two-year programme – May 2025

What is the Trustee Accelerator Programme?

The unique two-year programme commenced in April 2024 to train a select number of people to become Trustee Ready and was designed with flexibility in mind, putting people in control of their learning, so they can study around a job, caring responsibilities, and any other commitments. Participants learn in a variety of ways including:

• An introduction to pensions
• Get to know Standard Life and how we support customers today
• Eight learning modules (with webinars provided by the PMI): Fundamentals of Trust Law, The Pension Landscape, Defined Benefits schemes, Defined Contributions schemes, Member Data, Contributions and Transfers and Asset Management, Governance and Member Communications, Soft Skills for Trustees, Mock Trustee Board Meeting)
• Mentoring from a Trustee
• A buddy relationship with a pension professional
• Group sessions to share learnings
• Shadowing of Trustee Board and/or other governance meetings

What will people get from the Trustee Accelerator Programme?

Trustee Trainees will be assessed through a mock Trustee meeting and final exams before receiving the qualifications needed to become a pension Trustee, including:

• Qualifications from the PMI:
  • Award in Pension Trusteeship
  • Certificate in Pension Trusteeship
  • Trustee Ready Certificate from the PMI
• Other benefits include:
  • A new network of pension professionals and Trustees
  • Experience of Trustee Board meetings and/or governance meetings

 

About Standard Life

• Standard Life is a brand that has been trusted to look after peoples’ life savings for 200 years
• Today it proudly serves millions of customers who come to Standard Life directly, through advisers and through their employers’ pension scheme.
• Standard Life is part of Phoenix Group, one of the UK's largest long-term savings and retirement businesses. We’re proud to be building on 200 years of Standard Life heritage together
• Our products include a variety of Pensions, Bonds and Retirement options to suit people’s needs, helping our customers to invest and save for their future. We’re proud to offer a leading range of sustainable and responsible investment options.
• We support our customers on their journey to and through retirement with comprehensive, easy-to-understand guidance so they can invest in the right way for their needs, and plan a future they feel confident about.
• The value of investments can go down as well as up and may be worth less than originally invested.