PMI expands Trustee Accelerator Programme
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The Pensions Management Institute has on Wednesday launched an expanded Trustee Accelerator Programme, designed to boost the pipeline of skilled pension professionals, as the government consults on trustee standards and governance.
The PMI said that Standard Life Master Trust, Scottish Widows Master Trust, Aviva Master Trust and LifeSight have become sponsors of the initiative.
The programme was originally developed as a pilot by Standard Life with the PMI to support people with little or no pensions experience. The first cohort of participants came from industries including telecommunications, HR, finance resourcing, fashion and banking, who are about to finish their training and sit PMI qualification exams.
PMI chief executive Gareth Tancred said: “TAP is more than a training programme - it’s a gateway to higher professional standards, launched at a time when government and regulators are rightly setting out tougher expectations. By equipping a new generation with the tools and confidence to serve as trustees, we’re helping shape a future pensions industry that is resilient, inclusive, and fit for purpose.
The Pensions Regulator’s director of trusteeship, administration and DB supervision, David Walmsley, called trustees “the backbone of pension governance”, saying TPR is committed to driving up standards.
“Creating a confident pipeline of diverse, highly-skilled trustees – ready to navigate a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex environment – is essential to building a stronger future,” he said.
Donna Walsh, head of master trust at Standard Life, said the programme has changed the career paths for many current trainees, qualified as trustees by June 2026.
"The industry response has also been overwhelmingly positive, and this is why I’m confident that, under the stewardship of the PMI, the enhanced TAP will be equally successful in diversifying and developing the trustee boards of the future to better serve all scheme members,” she added.
TAP includes training, one-to-one mentoring, trustee board shadowing and networking opportunities. Trainees benefit from nine virtual check-ins, six mentor-led sessions, and access to PMI’s Trustee and Student Networks. A dedicated TAP Special Interest Group supports ongoing engagement.
The PMI said it will continue to evolve TAP by expanding employer partnerships and mentoring and board-shadowing opportunities. It also plans to introduce “a more structured progression framework that supports trainees beyond completion and into active trusteeship roles”.
TAP will include:
The PMI said that Standard Life Master Trust, Scottish Widows Master Trust, Aviva Master Trust and LifeSight have become sponsors of the initiative.
The programme was originally developed as a pilot by Standard Life with the PMI to support people with little or no pensions experience. The first cohort of participants came from industries including telecommunications, HR, finance resourcing, fashion and banking, who are about to finish their training and sit PMI qualification exams.
PMI chief executive Gareth Tancred said: “TAP is more than a training programme - it’s a gateway to higher professional standards, launched at a time when government and regulators are rightly setting out tougher expectations. By equipping a new generation with the tools and confidence to serve as trustees, we’re helping shape a future pensions industry that is resilient, inclusive, and fit for purpose.
The Pensions Regulator’s director of trusteeship, administration and DB supervision, David Walmsley, called trustees “the backbone of pension governance”, saying TPR is committed to driving up standards.
“Creating a confident pipeline of diverse, highly-skilled trustees – ready to navigate a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex environment – is essential to building a stronger future,” he said.
Donna Walsh, head of master trust at Standard Life, said the programme has changed the career paths for many current trainees, qualified as trustees by June 2026.
"The industry response has also been overwhelmingly positive, and this is why I’m confident that, under the stewardship of the PMI, the enhanced TAP will be equally successful in diversifying and developing the trustee boards of the future to better serve all scheme members,” she added.
TAP includes training, one-to-one mentoring, trustee board shadowing and networking opportunities. Trainees benefit from nine virtual check-ins, six mentor-led sessions, and access to PMI’s Trustee and Student Networks. A dedicated TAP Special Interest Group supports ongoing engagement.
The PMI said it will continue to evolve TAP by expanding employer partnerships and mentoring and board-shadowing opportunities. It also plans to introduce “a more structured progression framework that supports trainees beyond completion and into active trusteeship roles”.
TAP will include:
- Core training: the TAP curriculum, delivered digitally through the PMI, covers key aspects of pension trusteeship.
- Mentoring scheme: each participant will be paired with an experienced trustee for guidance and career development, with monthly trustee-trainee catch-ups.
- Shadowing and networking: shadowing positions for participants on trustee board meetings and networking prospects with other prospective trustees.
- Supporter sponsor conference: a half or full-day event held in September focusing on the role of trusteeship, delivered by supporter sponsors.
- Trainee virtual check-in sessions: nine virtual check-in sessions delivered by PMI, with guest speakers and topics guided by the trainees.
- Trustee mentor virtual check-in sessions: six virtual check-in sessions delivered by PMI, with topics guided by mentors.
- Trustee SIG and Student Network access: trainees and trustee mentors will receive access to PMI’s Trustee Special Interest Group and Student Network, as well as student membership for the duration of the programme.
- TAP Special Interest Group SIG: trainees and trustee mentors will receive access to the TAP programme SIG for existing participants of the programme and alumni from the previous cohort.
Late last year, the government launched a consultation on trusteeship, testing the waters on putting limits on trustee length of tenure and number of appointments, as well as asking about conflicts, member voice, a public trustee for problem schemes, and a register of administrators. The consultation is open until 5 March.
