Corporate services company acquires trustee firm PTL

PTL, founded in 1994, operates across the defined benefit and defined contribution markets, as well as catering for group life and healthcare trusts.

Zedra, which acquired Inside Pensions last year, said the acquisition will support its pensions governance services and increases its headcount of pensions specialists to 70.

It placed the move in the context of increasing complexity in pensions governance, with the regulatory burden placed on schemes and trustees by the Pensions Regulator and the Department for Work and Pensions leaving more and more schemes in need of professional support.

This is the second significant acquisition in the past four months, following Isio’s takeover of Premier Pensions in September last year.

David Rudge, head of UK at Zedra, said: “We believe companies need high-quality, well-resourced and sustainable support if they are to navigate complex situations to their maximum efficiency and with the best output for the members they serve. Unfortunately, smaller organisations can struggle  to provide this.

“The acquisition of PTL reinforces our position as a market leader for outsourced pension services in the UK pensions space and allows us to provide even greater service to those who are committed to providing the highest quality pension schemes possible.”

Richard Butcher, managing director of PTL, said: “Over the past 27 years, PTL has grown into one of the leading independent professional trustee firms in the UK. We are now excited to be joining a successful global organisation that complements our brand perfectly. 

“With the acquisition of Inside Pensions last year and now PTL, Zedra is fast becoming a leading player in the UK.

“The acquisition further cements and consolidates PTL’s position in the market as one of the leaders in the outsourced pensions governance service space in the UK. It strengthens our clients and, importantly, offers even more opportunities to our people. It’s a very exciting time for us all.”