Standard Life rolls out ‘Trustee Accelerator Programme’ across pensions industry

Standard Life marked the one-year anniversary of its ‘Trustee Accelerator Programme’ and has said it plans to roll it out across the pensions industry. 

The scheme, which started with 12 trainees, aims to bring new people into trustee roles and help them learn the ropes through formal training with the Pensions Management Institute (PMI), mentoring and shadowing board members.

Standard Life said trainees have so far completed three introductory pensions modules, around half of the formal modules with the PMI, and a range of tailored training sessions and webinars. 

The programme is backed by organisations including the PMI, Nest, USS, SAUL, Standard Life’s Master Trust Board and Independent Governance Committee, and clients such as Amey.

Donna Walsh, trustee accelerator programme sponsor and head of master trust and IGC at Standard Life, 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.” 

Walsh added: “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.”