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Pensions Ombudsman determination (PO-16266): Personal liability as dishonest accessory—director to repay £9.7m; due diligence, Pensions Act 1995 duties and HMRC’s non-approval role (Genwick/Uniway).

Published on: 20 December 2024

Published by a LexisNexis Pensions expert
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Original news: TPO publishes Ecroignard Determination

Background

Ecroignard, where Mr Shroff previously served as a director, acted as trustee to two pension schemes. In that capacity it deployed scheme assets, among other activities. Some of those investments, including loans advanced by the schemes, ultimately became worthless, leading to substantial losses for the schemes. After taking over as trustee, Dalriada lodged a complaint with the PO against Ecroignard alleging breach of trust, including a breach of duty for not obtaining suitable investment advice.

What did the PO determine?

The PO upheld the claimants’ case. Determination PO-16266 records that Ecroignard and Mr Shroff committed numerous breaches of trust and acts of maladministration concerning the Genwick Retirement Benefit Scheme (Genwick Scheme) and the Uniway Systems Retirement Benefits Scheme (Uniway Scheme) (the Schemes). These breaches, tied to investment decisions by Ecroignard and Mr Shroff, in summary:

  • were not properly communicated to Scheme beneficiaries
  • were made without independent investment advice and without the trustees undertaking adequate due diligence, and
  • concerned unsuitable investments that failed to comply with applicable legislations and/or the Pension Regulator’s relevant code of practice

Ecroignard had also committed multiple breaches of Part 1 of...

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