• Press releases
  • Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) supports Standard Life’s Trustee Accelerator Programme
  • USS offering TAP trainee 18-month shadowing opportunity of its Pensions Committee

Six months since launch, Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) is the latest scheme to lend its support to Standard Life’s Trustee Accelerator Programme (TAP) creating a Pensions Committee shadowing opportunity for trustee trainee, Dean Dennis, Managing Director of Global Services, Verizon Business.

USS joins other organisations including NEST who have created opportunities for the trainees. A key objective of TAP is to increase diversity and inclusion among the ranks of pension scheme board trustees, providing participants with a wealth of knowledge and insight into the world of pensions by providing learning, board shadowing and the qualifications needed to become trustee ready.

Welcoming USS, Donna Walsh, Founder of the Trustee Accelerator Programme and Head of Master Trust at Standard Life said: “The traction and interest that TAP is generating is a powerful reminder of the willingness across the pension industry to diversify and develop future trustee capability. I’m delighted that USS has embraced TAP and given one of our trustee trainees the opportunity to gain hands on experience shadowing its Pensions Committee. We are now a quarter of the way through the Programme, with most of the learning through online modules and webinars, supported by Trustee mentors and pension buddies. It’s thanks to organisations like USS that we can offer our trainees board and committee shadowing; a crucial part of the Programme.”

Dame Kate Barker, Chair of the USS Board commented: “We are pleased to support this initiative, which not only reflects our commitment to promoting diversity in all its forms but also the core purpose of the Higher Education sector we serve. We believe greater diversity -– of background, of experience, and of thought – amongst tomorrow’s trustees can only improve decision-making and outcomes.”

ENDS
 

 

Enquiries

Darragh Leeson
Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group
07707 270 001/a>
darragh_leeson@standardlife.com

Notes

Trustee Accelerator Programme

The candidates will complete a series of training modules over the two years. They will receive individual mentoring and trustee board shadowing opportunities, including that from the Standard Life Master Trust Co. (SLMTC), the Phoenix IGC, Nest and USS allowing them to put the theory into practice so that they are Trustee Ready upon graduating from the programme.

The 12 candidates will learn in a variety of ways including:

  • An introduction to pensions from the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI)
  • 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

 

About Standard Life

  • Standard Life is a brand that has been trusted to look after peoples’ life savings for nearly 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, the largest long-term savings and retirement business in the UK. We’re proud to be building on nearly 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.
  • Standard Life is the proud headline sponsor of Race for Life, Cancer Research UK’s flagship fundraising event series.

Share via

Press releases