Zedra has acquired Clear Pen Solutions, a specialist provider of professional independent trustee services to UK corporate pension schemes.
In a statement on 12 October, Zedra said the acquisition follows those of Inside Pensions Ltd and PTL Governance Limited in 2021, and Caledonian Trustees Limited earlier this year.
The CEO and owner of Clear Pen Solutions, Stephen Yandle, is a professional trustee who will bring with him two decades of experience across pensions, financial and professional services. All Clear Pen Solutions clients, which range in size from £250m to £6bn in assets, will join Zedra Governance.
Ivo Hemelraad, Chief Executive Officer, Zedra, said: "As the UK regulatory system has become increasingly complex over recent years, so too has the challenge of running a pension scheme. It is no surprise that the number of pension schemes requiring additional support continues to grow. We recognised this some time ago and, over the last few years, have planned our expansion to ensure we were well equipped to support schemes in meeting these challenges head on.
"This deal further cements our offering and capabilities and is in line with the strategic approach we are adopting in the UK market, and the independent pensions trustee and governance sector specifically.
"As the demands and pressures on pension schemes grow, ZEDRA stands out as an attractive option for businesses like Clear Pen Solutions that need to manage the increasingly complex pensions landscape in order to satisfy their commitments to scheme members and the Regulator. I'm looking forward to working with Stephen, and our door is always open for similar businesses who share our commitment to collaborative working, diversity of thought and service excellence. We have a strong proposition, with a strong team of outstanding industry experts which will, shortly, sit under a strong unified brand."
Kim Nash at Zedra Governance Limited, said: "Our sustained organic growth, combined with recent acquisitions, has enabled us to establish a team with the breadth and expertise to meet the evolving needs of pension schemes. This is a further great acquisition for the team and we welcome Stephen and his clients to ZEDRA Governance. We will benefit greatly from his contribution and our team will be on hand to broaden and further strengthen the professional trustee services which his clients have come to rely on."
Stephen Yandle, Clear Pen Solutions Ltd, added: "Having successfully grown Clear Pen Solutions over the last decade, I am delighted our clients will now benefit from the wider resources, greater resilience and deeper expertise that is on offer as we become part of ZEDRA. It's been important to find a business with the right values and ethics to safeguard and develop our existing client relationships. ZEDRA not only shares my passion for client service, but also plays an active role in developing our profession and advocating high standards across the industry. I have great respect for the team and I am very excited to work with them as we help pension schemes respond to the constantly-changing pensions landscape and challenges ahead."
