The Occupational Pension Schemes (Governance and Registration) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024

PART 2 Use of fiduciary management services and investment consultancy services

Amendment of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Scheme Administration) Regulations

2.—(1) The Occupational Pension Schemes (Scheme Administration) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997(1) are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).

(2) After regulation 29(2) (representation of members) add—

“PART 6 Governance of relevant trust schemes

CHAPTER 1 Introductory

Scope of Part 6

30.— (1) This Part applies in relation to relevant trust schemes.

(2) A “relevant trust scheme” is an occupational pension scheme established under a trust other than—

(a) a scheme which is not a registrable scheme (within the meaning given by section 59(2) of the Pensions Act 2004(3));

(b) an executive pension scheme;

(c) a relevant small scheme; or

(d) a scheme to which regulation 2(c) of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Trust and Retirement Benefits Exemption) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005(4) (exemption from trust requirement) applies.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation, “executive pension scheme” and “relevant small scheme” have the meanings they have for the purposes of the definition of “relevant scheme” (see regulation 1(2ZB)(5)).

General interpretation

31.— (1) In this Part—

“the 2019 Order” means the Investment Consultancy and Fiduciary Management Market Investigation Order 2019(6);

“actuarial valuation” has the meaning it has for the purposes of Part 4 of the 2005 Order (scheme funding) (see Article 203 of that Order);

“the commencement date” means 1st October 2022;

“company” has the meaning given in section 1 of the Companies Act 2006(7);

“existing IC provider” has the meaning given in regulation 34(5);

“fund manager” has the meaning given in Article 121;

“IC provider” has the meaning given in regulation 34(2);

“relevant trust scheme” has the meaning given in regulation 30(2);

“statement of investment principles” has the meaning given in Article 35(8);

“the statutory funding objective” has the meaning given for the purposes of Part 4 of the 2005 Order (see Article 201 of that Order);

“trustee owned company” has the meaning given in paragraph (2).

(2) “Trustee owned company”, in relation to a relevant trust scheme (“scheme 1”), means—

(a) a company limited by shares in which—

(i) a scheme 1 person holds voting shares; and

(ii) no one other than a relevant person also holds shares; or

(b) a company limited by guarantee of which—

(i) a scheme 1 person is a member; and

(ii) no one other than a relevant person is also a member.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)—

“relevant person” means—

(a)

a trustee of any occupational pension scheme; or

(b)

any company which is itself a trustee owned company;

“scheme 1 person” means—

(a)

a trustee of scheme 1; or

(b)

a company which is itself a trustee owned company in relation to scheme 1;

“voting shares” means shares which carry rights to vote at general meetings of the company in question.

(4) For the purposes of this Part, a person (“A”) is connected to another person (“B”) if A is a group undertaking in relation to B (within the meaning of section 1161(5) of the Companies Act 2006).

(5) For the purposes of this Part, a reference to the appointment of a person in any capacity includes a reference to—

(a) the reappointment of that person; and

(b) the extension of that person’s term of appointment.

(6) For the purposes of this Part, it does not matter whether any advice is given—

(a) for the purposes of Article 36(9) (choosing investments) or otherwise; or

(b) in a recommendation or in guidance or otherwise.

Time at which services are provided

32.   For the purposes of this Part, a person is to be taken to provide services at any time if, at that time, arrangements are in place for the provision of those services.

CHAPTER 2 Use of fiduciary management services

Duties of trustees to carry out tender process in connection with the provision of fiduciary management services by FM providers

33.   The Schedule—

(a) defines “fiduciary management services”, “FM provider” and related terms (see Part 1 of the Schedule); and

(b) sets out the duties of trustees of relevant trust schemes in connection with the provision of fiduciary management services by FM providers (see Parts 2 and 3 of the Schedule).

CHAPTER 3 Use of investment consultancy services

Meaning of “IC provider”, “existing IC provider” and related expressions

34.— (1) This regulation defines “IC provider”, “existing IC provider” and related expressions for the purposes of this Part.

(2) “IC provider”, in relation to a relevant trust scheme, means a person who provides investment consultancy services to the trustees of the scheme and is not—

(a) a trustee of the scheme; or

(b) a trustee owned company.

(3) A person (“P”) provides investment consultancy services to the trustees of a relevant trust scheme if—

(a) P gives advice to the trustees of the scheme on or in connection with any of the following—

(i) the merits of—

(aa) the exercise of any of the trustees’ powers of investment in any particular case (including the making or retaining of any investment);

(bb) the appointment of a particular fund manager;

(cc) strategic asset allocation;

(dd) adopting a particular investment strategy; or

(ii) the preparation or revision of the statement of investment principles; and

(b) P gives that advice otherwise than in P’s capacity as a legal adviser appointed by the trustees.

(4) Where P is an actuary, any high-level commentary given by P in, or in relation to, an actuarial valuation on the link between the statutory funding objective and the investment strategy, is not to be treated as advice for the purposes of this regulation.

(5) “Existing IC provider”, in relation to a relevant trust scheme, means an IC provider who—

(a) was appointed by the trustees of the scheme before the commencement date; and

(b) continues to provide investment consultancy services to those trustees on and after that date in accordance with the terms of that appointment.

(6) References in this Part to investment consultancy services are to be read in accordance with this regulation.

Duty to set objectives for IC providers

35.— (1) The trustees of a relevant trust scheme must set objectives for each IC provider.

(2) The trustees must—

(a) when setting objectives for an IC provider, have regard to the statement of investment principles, in so far as it is relevant to services provided, or to be provided, by that provider;

(b) where the IC provider is appointed on or after the commencement date, ensure that the IC provider’s objectives are set by the end of the day on which the IC provider’s appointment takes effect.

(3) The trustees must review and, if appropriate, revise an IC provider’s objectives—

(a) at least every 3 years; and

(b) without delay after any significant change in investment policy.

(4) Where an existing IC provider has strategic objectives which were set, before the commencement date, under Article 12 of the 2019 Order (“the existing objectives”)—

(a) the existing objectives are to be treated as if they had been set by the trustees under paragraph (1); and

(b) the trustees must complete the first review of the existing objectives for the purposes of paragraph (3)(a) before the end of the period of 3 years beginning with the date on which those objectives were set under Article 12 of the 2019 Order.

Duty to review performance of IC providers

36.   The trustees of a relevant trust scheme must, at least every 12 months, review the performance of each IC provider against the objectives set under regulation 35.

CHAPTER 4 Compliance

Compliance notices

Compliance notice

37.— (1) The Regulator(10) may issue a compliance notice(11) to a person with a view to ensuring that person’s compliance with a listed provision.

(2) The Regulator may issue a notice under paragraph (1) if it is of the opinion that the person is not complying, or has not complied, with that provision.

(3) For the purposes of this Chapter, the listed provisions are the following provisions of this Part—

(a) regulation 35(1) or (3);

(b) regulation 36;

(c) paragraph 7(1) of the Schedule;

(d) paragraph 8(1) of the Schedule;

(e) paragraph 9(3) of the Schedule;

(f) paragraph 10(1) or (2) of the Schedule.

(4) A compliance notice must—

(a) state the listed provision which the Regulator is of the opinion was not, or is not being, complied with;

(b) state the evidence on which that opinion is based; and

(c) specify the steps that the Regulator requires the person to whom it is issued to take to remedy the non-compliance with that provision and, where appropriate, ensure that it is not repeated.

(5) A step specified for the purposes of paragraph (4)(c) may be expressed to be conditional on compliance by a third party with a specified direction contained in a third party compliance notice under regulation 38.

(6) A compliance notice may also—

(a) specify the period within which any step must be taken;

(b) require the person to whom it is issued to provide the Regulator within a specified period specified information relating to the non-compliance;

(c) require the person to whom it is issued to inform the Regulator, within a specified period, of how they have complied with or are complying with the notice;

(d) state that, if the Regulator is of the opinion that the person to whom it is issued has failed to comply with the notice, the Regulator may issue a penalty notice to them under regulation 39;

(e) give the person to whom it is issued a choice between different ways of remedying, or preventing the recurrence of, the non-compliance.

(7) In this regulation “specified” means specified in a compliance notice.

Third party compliance notice

38.— (1) The Regulator may issue a third party compliance notice(12) to a person (“A”) with a view to ensuring another person (“B”)’s compliance with a listed provision if—

(a) the Regulator is of the opinion that—

(i) B is not complying, or has not complied, with that provision; and

(ii) that non-compliance is, or was, wholly or partly, a result of the failure of A; and

(b) A’s failure is not itself a contravention of any listed provision.

(2) A third party compliance notice must—

(a) state the listed provision which the Regulator is of the opinion was not, or is not being, complied with;

(b) state the evidence on which that opinion is based; and

(c) specify the steps that the Regulator requires A to take, or refrain from taking, with a view to remedying and, where appropriate, preventing a recurrence of the failure mentioned in paragraph (1)(a)(ii).

(3) A compliance notice may also—

(a) specify the period within which any step must be taken;

(b) require A to provide the Regulator within a specified period specified information relating to the non-compliance;

(c) require A to inform the Regulator, within a specified period, of how they have complied with or are complying with the notice;

(d) state that, if the Regulator is of the opinion that A has failed to comply with the notice, the Regulator may issue a penalty notice to A under regulation 39;

(e) give A a choice between different ways of remedying, or preventing the recurrence of, the non-compliance.

(4) In this regulation “specified” means specified in a third party compliance notice.

Penalty notices

Penalty notices

39.— (1) The Regulator may issue a penalty notice(13) imposing a penalty on a person where the Regulator is of the opinion that the person—

(a) has failed to comply with a compliance notice,

(b) has failed to comply with a third party compliance notice; or

(c) has contravened a listed provision.

(2) The Regulator may determine the amount of the penalty to be imposed on a person.

(3) But the amount of the penalty imposed on a person must not—

(a) if the person is an individual, exceed £5,000;

(b) in any other case, exceed £50,000.

(4) A penalty notice must—

(a) if it is issued to the trustees of a trust scheme, be issued to all the trustees of the scheme and specify their joint and several liability for the penalty;

(b) state the Regulator’s decision to impose a penalty;

(c) state the reasons for that decision including—

(i) if the notice is issued under paragraph (1)(a) or (b), the failure to which the notice relates;

(ii) if the notice is issued under paragraph (1)(c), the provision which has been contravened;

(d) state the amount of the penalty;

(e) state the date by which the penalty must be paid;

(f) state the period (if any) to which the penalty relates;

(g) notify the person to whom the notice is issued of the right to a review under regulation 43 and the right of referral under regulation 44.

(5) The date specified under paragraph (4)(e) must be at least 4 weeks after the date on which the notice is issued.

(6) See also regulation 41.

Penalty notices: recovery of penalty

40.— (1) Any penalty required by a penalty notice is recoverable by the Regulator.

(2) Article 10(8A)(14) (civil penalties) applies to a penalty recoverable under these Regulations as it applies to a penalty recoverable under that Article.

(3) The Regulator must pay into the Consolidated Fund any penalty recovered under this regulation.

Penalty notices: recovery of penalty from bodies corporate and Scottish partnerships

41.— (1) This regulation applies where—

(a) a penalty under regulation 39 is recoverable from a body corporate or a Scottish partnership by reason of any act or omission of the body or partnership; and

(b) the act or omission was done with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any specified person.

(2) Where this regulation applies, the Regulator may impose a penalty on each specified person who has consented to, or connived in, the act or omission or to whose neglect the act or omission was attributable.

(3) In this regulation “specified person” means—

(a) in relation to a body corporate, means—

(i) director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body, or a person purporting to act in any such capacity; or

(ii) where the affairs of the body are managed by its members, a member who has management functions;

(b) in relation to a Scottish partnership, means a partner of the partnership.

(4) If the Regulator imposes a penalty on one or more specified persons, the Regulator—

(a) may not also impose a penalty on the body corporate or Scottish partnership (as the case may be) in respect of the same act or omission; and

(b) must issue the penalty notice to each specified person on whom a penalty is imposed.

(5) The Regulator may notify the relevant body corporate or Scottish partnership of the Regulator’s decision under this regulation to impose a penalty on one or more specified persons.

Service of notices

Service of notices

42.   Articles 2(7)(a), 277 and 278 of the 2005 Order (service of documents and electronic working) apply to notices issued under this Chapter as they apply to a notification given under any provision of that Order.

Review of notices

Review of notices

43.— (1) The Regulator may review a specified notice issued under these Regulations—

(a) on an application, in writing, from the person to whom the notice was issued (“the applicant”); or

(b) otherwise, if the Regulator considers it appropriate to do so.

(2) In this regulation “specified notice” means—

(a) a compliance notice;

(b) a third party compliance notice; or

(c) a penalty notice.

(3) An application for a review of a specified notice must be made by the applicant before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the notice was issued to the applicant.

(4) The Regulator may review a notice under paragraph (1)(b) at any time before the end of the period of 18 months beginning with the day on which the notice was issued to the applicant.

(5) On a review of a notice, the effect of the penalty notice is suspended for the period—

(a) beginning with the day on which the Regulator determines to carry out the review; and

(b) ending with the day on which the review is completed.

(6) In carrying out the review, the Regulator must consider any representations made by the applicant.

(7) On a review under this regulation, the Regulator may—

(a) confirm the notice;

(b) vary the notice;

(c) revoke the notice; or

(d) substitute a different notice.

References to the Upper Tribunal

Reference to the Upper Tribunal

44.— (1) A person to whom a penalty notice is issued (“the applicant”) may, if one of the conditions in paragraph (2) is satisfied, make a reference to the Upper Tribunal (“the Tribunal”) in respect of—

(a) the issue of the notice;

(b) the amount of the penalty imposed under the notice.

(2) The conditions are—

(a) the Regulator has completed a review of the notice under regulation 43;

(b) the applicant made an application for a review under regulation 43(1)(a) but the Regulator determined not to carry out such a review.

(3) On a reference under this regulation, the effect of the notice is suspended for the period—

(a) beginning with the day on which the Tribunal receives the notice of the reference; and

(b) ending with the relevant day.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), “the relevant day” is—

(a) if the applicant withdraws the reference, the day on which it is withdrawn;

(b) if the reference is made out of time and the Tribunal determines not to allow the reference to proceed, the day on which that determination is made;

(c) otherwise, the day on which the reference is completed.

(5) A reference is completed when—

(a) the reference has been determined; and

(b) the Tribunal has remitted the matter to the Regulator.”.

(3) At the end add the Schedule as set out in the Schedule to these Regulations.

(1)

S.R. 1997 No. 94; relevant amending Regulations are S.R. 2015 No. 309; see also regulation 2 of S.R. 2023 No. 146

(2)

Regulation 29 was added by regulation 22 of S.R. 2015 No. 309

(3)

2004 c. 35

(4)

S.R. 2005 No. 412

(5)

Regulation 1(2ZB) was inserted by regulation 14(b) of S.R. 2015 No. 309

(6)

Copies of the Order are available on the Competition and Markets Authority’s website:https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investment-consultants-market-investigation#the-investment-consultancy-and-fiduciary-management-market-investigation-order-2019

(7)

2006 c. 46

(8)

Article 35 was substituted by Article 221 of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005

(9)

Article 36 was amended by Article 222 of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 and Article 151 of S.I. 2001/3649

(10)

“The Regulator” is defined in paragraph 14(1) of Schedule 17 to the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015; see also paragraph 4(1) of Schedule 18 to that Act

(11)

“Compliance notice” is defined in paragraph 3(2)(a) of Schedule 18 to the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015

(12)

“Third party compliance notice” is defined in paragraph 3(2)(b) of Schedule 18 to the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015

(13)

“Penalty notice” is defined in paragraph 3(2)(c) of Schedule 18 to the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015

(14)

Article 10(8A) was inserted by paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11))