Contract

Professional Corporate Sole Trustee (PCST) services for Aston University Pension Scheme (AUPS)

  • ASTON UNIVERSITY

UK7: Contract details notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-044734

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-054ed2 (view related notices)

Published 31 July 2025, 1:08pm



Scope

Reference

1137

Description

Professional Corporate Sole Trustee (PCST) services for the Aston University Pension Scheme (closed to future accrual). This will include Trustee services, pension administration, member communications, actuarial services, audit, governance, legal, covenant, investment management and monitoring advice.

Adopting a Professional Corporate Sole Trustee (PCST) model to administer the Aston University Pension Scheme has been determined to be the most efficient way to manage the legacy Defined Benefit pension scheme going forward while ensuring the integrity of the scheme, including funding position, ongoing administration and compliance with evolving TPR requirements is maintained. This is a relatively new approach in the market but it has been determined that minimising disruption and limiting risk during the current triennial valuation is the optimal outcome and that this was the only option whereby continuity of the current actuarial, investment and professional trustee services could be maintained while achieving efficiencies.


Contract 1

Supplier

Contract value

  • £2,630,610 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Date signed

30 June 2025

Contract dates

  • 1 July 2025 to 30 May 2028
  • Possible extension to 30 May 2031
  • 5 years, 10 months, 30 days

Description of possible extension:

3 year extension option

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 66141000 - Pension fund management services

Contract locations

  • UK - United Kingdom

Justification for not setting key performance indicators

Not above £5m


Other information

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes


Procedure

Procedure type

Direct award

Direct award justification

Single supplier - technical reasons

Adopting a Professional Corporate Sole Trustee (PCST) model to administer the Aston University Pension Scheme has been determined to be the most efficient way to manage the legacy Defined Benefit pension scheme going forward while ensuring the integrity of the scheme, including funding position, ongoing administration and compliance with evolving TPR requirements is maintained. This is a relatively new approach in the market but it has been determined that minimising disruption and limiting risk during the current triennial valuation is the optimal outcome and that this was the only option whereby continuity of the current actuarial, investment and professional trustee services could be maintained while achieving efficiencies.


Supplier

ROSS TRUSTEES SERVICES LIMITED

  • Companies House: 07904277
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGJH-8616-QRJQ

4th Floor , Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street

London

EC4N 6HL

United Kingdom

Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1


Contracting authority

ASTON UNIVERSITY

  • Companies House: RC000904
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTLB-7496-TPTR

Aston Triangle

Birmingham

B4 7ET

United Kingdom

Region: UKG31 - Birmingham

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government