London & Colonial Corporate Brochure

www.londoncolonial.com OUR GROUP

London & Colonial is a privately owned We were one of the earlier companies to independent specialist pension Group. We provide a pure SIPP, in 1995, and have an outstanding track record when it subsequently redefined the annuity market comes to the delivery of original and creative with our groundbreaking Open Annuity retirement solutions that satisfy the product in 2002. We have more recently requirements of even the most financially complemented our existing range of pension demanding of clients. wrappers with a low cost ‘Elementary’ range.

The last 25 years have seen us attain an The ‘Elementary’ range offers exceptional enviable reputation when it comes to the client value through a competitive fee structure development of some of the most pioneering without compromising on our high level and innovative new pension products that are service proposition delivered as standard. currently available in the market place today. OUR HISTORY As specialists in ‘self-invested’ pension products since 1988, our aim has always been The Company first started life in 1988, as to offer clients as much freedom, flexibility and London & Colonial Trustees Limited initially control as possible - regardless of the chosen providing SSASs and specialist consultancy pension solution. services to insurers and other pension industry professionals. Whether onshore or offshore, accumulation or decumulation our pension solutions are flexible enough to adapt to a client’s changing circumstances, throughout their financial lifecycle.

We distribute our pension wrappers exclusively through Financial Advisers and as such we deliberately choose not to provide any financial or investment advice.

Our innovative service proposition has been designed to provide advisers with maximum Our consultancy services included technical support in order that they can best fulfil their analysis, training, literature, Scheme clients’ requirements. documentation drafting, expert witness provision, and third party administration services.

In 1995 our CEO Ken Wrench and Chairman Robin Ellison joined forces to launch a SIPP via the establishment of London & Colonial Services Limited. A well know insurance company was one of The regulatory capital (minimum guarantee the first to white label our SIPP for whom we fund retirement) required by Gibraltar for a provided all of the necessary functions as the life insurer currently stands at (Euro) 3,700k Scheme Administrator and Scheme Trustee as (or £3,146k), and as at the date of our last well as providing a specialist property service. financial statement (30th September 2012) the Company’s excess was some £2,805k over the 2001 saw the formation of London & Colonial required margin – the highest seen for several Holdings Limited, to raise the capital required years. for the setting up of a new Insurance Company, London & Colonial Assurance When combined with the products from the PLC, which commenced trading in March of other Gibraltar subsidiaries currently held 2002. within the London & Colonial Group, both our brand awareness and physical presence This company was Gibraltar based in order to within this well-regulated jurisdiction still benefit fully from being in the EU and utilising continues to grow. the corporate segregated “cell” structure. This legal structure was an essential component in In October 2008, the various associated the launch of our ground breaking Open companies were brought within a new group Annuity. structure into common ownership under one entity - London & Colonial Holdings Limited - which now owns 100% of each of the companies within the group.

London & Colonial’s premium products and services have historically been aimed more toward the high net worth individual and we have recently developed and launched our ‘Elementary’ range aimed at the mid range market place.

We have taken the key elements from our The Open Annuity proved to be exceptionally existing products and made them available in successful in terms of annuity premiums conjunction with a selection of strategic received - achieving in excess of £0.5bn of investment partnerships - including some of written business in the 2 months leading up to the best DFMs and Platforms available within 6 April 2006 (A-Day) alone. the market place today.

The positive growth that we have enjoyed In so doing we believe we have created a range throughout this period has resulted in our of affordable products that deliver exceptional currently holding a healthy excess of regulatory client value without compromising on the high capital, over and above the levels stipulated by levels of personalised service provided as the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission. standard. We are immensely proud of the 25 year heritage upon which we continue to build. OUR PRODUCTS

London & Colonial has already established Current product offerings include the:- an enviable reputation for satisfying the · Open Annuity - Our flexible investment demands of an ever changing market, linked annuities through innovative pension solutions. · Open Pension - Our Self Invested Pension Plan (SIPP). Rated 5* by Having recognised early on that no one single Defaqto organisation could realistically be expected to focus effectively on every specialist area, the · Corporate Open Pension - Our decision was made not to compete with Small Self Administered Pension- Financial Advisers or Investment Managers Schemes (SSAS) but to work with them instead. · International Open Pension - Our Offshore QROPS · EU SIPP - Our Offshore QNUPS · “Elementary” range - Low cost options of these contracts aimed at the “mid range” client The successful launch of the ‘Elementary’ range has served to move us ever nearer to the realisation of our long term ambition – to be seen as the provider of choice when it comes to UK and International pensions including, We have channelled our expertise SIPP, SSAS, QROPS, QNUPS and Annuities. wholeheartedly into the provision of a range of So whether switching from accumulation to flexible, independent ‘unbundled’ pension decumulation, moving from a pension to an solutions. annuity, moving abroad, or returning to the UK, our products can provide a suitable and The result is a range of products which have cost effective solution to meet most clients’ been proven time and again to exceed the needs. expectations of even the most discerning of clients. The unbundled structure of our products will also ensure that all of the services we provide, Our wrappers have been designed to be together with any fees associated with each tailored to meet a client’s own precise element, remain fully transparent and requirements, whilst sufficiently flexible to disclosed upfront. readily adapt to their changing circumstances over their lifetime. All of our products are accompanied by a competitive fee structure that provides Our products allow clients to maintain full exceptional value with high levels of service control over their investments, whatever stage as standard. within in their financial lifecycle they may find themselves at. THE LONDON & COLONIAL DIFFERENCE

In today’s increasingly competitive market Which is why we are rapidly positioning place, it is our firm belief that it is now more ourselves as the number one financial essential than ever to be able to offer our solutions company within our market place, Advisers something different - something when it comes to service, price, and product which makes us stand out from the innovation. competition.

At London & Colonial we believe we are unique within the market place in being able to offer UK SIPP, SSAS and Annuities as well as offering offshore QROPS and QNUPS. Our ability to do this sets us apart from the competition with all of the pension contracts being available to UK and overseas residents.

It is not only the ability to be able to move seamlessly from one solution to another “under the same roof” that is of benefit but OUR PEOPLE often it is the combination of these contracts that provide powerful planning opportunities. At London & Colonial we have a great team of individuals all of whom are totally committed to helping to fulfil your clients’ requirements, no matter how diversified they may be.

Valued staff are motivated staff and motivated staff build exceptional dynamic businesses. With this in mind we continue to proactively encourage the personal development of all of our staff through internal training. We also actively and fully support study towards achieving industry professional qualifications.

Our aim is to build long term and mutually We strongly believe in supporting the personal beneficial relationships with all of the development of our most important resource, Financial Advisers with whom we conduct our people. We encourage our staff to feel business. We pride ourselves on being able to empowered in their roles which enables them support them with creative solutions that take to be able to pre-empt any problems long advantage of the planning opportunities that before they arise. our contracts offer in order to meet their clients’ financial objectives. The principles of ‘Treating Customers Fairly’ are embedded in everything we do and our Advisers continue to place their clients’ people consistently adhere to the exacting business with us because we offer unique standards we set ourselves. We ensure that any products at competitive rates - all backed up by enquiries are dealt with quickly and efficiently exceptional levels of support. and that these standards are met and maintained every step of the way. OUR AIMS

It is 25 years since London & Colonial first The latest versions of our original product identified an opportunity to provide a range of offerings are particularly suited to those clients consultancy services based on its experience who find themselves more towards the and expertise to both Corporate entities such beginning of their financial lifecycle and so as Insurance companies as well as those may be looking for a more cost effective professionals specialising in individually investment solution. tailored retirement solutions. By opting to take out one of these products, Our initial aim was to offer clients the clients are potentially ‘future-proofing’ maximum amount of flexibility possible, whilst themselves against any changes in their taking full advantage of the investment financial circumstances. opportunities available.

For example the client can seamlessly move from accumulation to decumulation via either drawdown or one of our annuity contracts.

In addition, if the client moves abroad or returns to the UK then one of our International pension wrappers can provide a suitable and cost effective solution in the form of our QROPS or QNUPS.

A quarter of a century later and our products and services have evolved into a range which we believe compares favourably with anything currently available in the market today. OUR TRACK RECORD

With London & Colonial you can be However no amount of innovation is worth confident that you’re dealing with a anything without being accompanied by the dependable and highly respected organisation highest levels of customer service and support. with an enviable and already proven track Financial Advisers can expect and enjoy record when it comes to the design and dedicated and personalised service administration of self-invested products. from our specialist IFA Support Team.

We are immensely proud of the 25 year heritage upon which we continue to build. The last quarter of a century has seen London & Colonial develop and launch a number of self- invested products, contained within a variety of tax wrappers, ranging from SSASs to Flexible Annuities.

Our pioneering and unrivalled Open Annuity was the first of its kind, and after its launch in 2002 went on to redefine the annuity landscape. Legislation introduced by HMRC in London & Colonial fully understand the 2006 confirmed the existence of this new importance of offering Professional Advisers a market and went on to define what are known First Class service and our staff are fully today as Flexible Annuities. committed to delivering on this commitment as our existing Advisers have come to expect.

Not only do we provide face-to-face support through a dedicated Regional Account Manager but we also allocate an experienced IFA support Manager who, with a global view of all cases, will be the first point of contact for any case specific enquires, and pipeline updates. OUR SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Robin Ellison - Chairman

Robin Ellison is the Chairman of the London His latest book, Pensions For You and Your & Colonial Group, and a practising solicitor Business, was published by Crimson in early and academic. He is a consultant with Pinsent 2013, and he is currently working on a study of Masons, the international law firm where he the excesses of regulation called Too Much Law. specialises in the development of pensions and related financial services products for insurers He is Visiting Professor in Pensions Law and and other providers, and in European and Economics at Cass Business School, City international pensions, pension’s trustee law University London, and a frequent broadcaster and pensions in matrimonial matters. He acts on radio and television on pension matters. He for a number of foreign governments and is a recent Chairman of the National government agencies. Association of Pension Funds.

He is also a director of the boards of a number of companies, including as Chairman of Pendragon Professional Information, publisher of Perspective, the electronic regulatory and legal publisher to the pensions industry, and Chairman of Occupational Pension Trusts (the alternative to buy-outs).

He is a trustee of several pension funds, (including those of the Really Useful Theatre Group and Carillion) both as independent trustee and as Chairman. He also practices as a commercial mediator.

He was a founder of the Association of Pensions Lawyers, being awarded its Wallace Prize in 1995 and in 1997 he was elected the first solicitor Honorary Fellow of the Pensions Management Institute.

He is the author of numerous books on pensions including a four volume loose-leaf Pensions Law and Practice, (Sweet & Maxwell), the Pension Trustees Handbook (7th edition, 2013, Thorogood) and is the editor of Pensions Benefits Law Reports.

His book, Pension Fund Investment Law, was published by Bloomsbury Professional in May 2008, and he co-authored Pensions and Divorce (Lime Legal) published in 2010. Ken Wrench - CEO

A Chartered Insurance Practitioner and a Focusing particular attention on marketing Pensioneer Trustee in his own right since and sales support, Ken was responsible for the 1979, Ken has over 40 years experience within introduction of a new training and licensing the Pensions Industry. system for Direct Sales, for the promotion of corporate pensions business. Following on from 6 years with CM&G, the next 11 years were spent with National Mutual In 1988 he became one of the founding where he ran their Pensions Technical Directors of London & Colonial Trustees Department. During this time he pioneered Limited (formally Select Pensions Limited) of the New Code documentation for the 70's which he continues to be Managing Director legislation, in addition to lecturing on a variety to this day. of subjects at what is now the London Metropolitan University, on behalf of the The company provided technical pensions Pensions Management Institute. consultancy to other professionals within the pensions industry, and specialised in services In 1979 he joined Merchant Investors initially for Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSASs). as Pensions Manager, where the following year saw him appointed a Senior Executive. As part In 1995 in partnership with Robin Ellison he of the expansion of their Pensions Division he formed London & Colonial Services Limited was responsible for guiding developments into (formerly The Fiduciary Corporation Limited) a number of new areas; with products which of which he is also Chief Executive. This included SSASs, Personal Funds, Bonds, and company provides services for Self-Invested Loans, as well as Personal Pensions and AVCs. Personal Pension Schemes (SIPPs). More recently he has been involved in the development and launch of the innovative Open Annuity product underwritten by London & Colonial Assurance PLC.

London & Colonial Services Limited and London & Colonial Assurance PLC are sister companies, being wholly owned subsidiaries of London & Colonial Holdings Limited of which Ken is Chief Executive. Charles Cary-Elwes - Group Finance Director

A Chartered Accountant, and member of the His current Directorships include: Institute of Taxation. · London & Colonial Holdings Limited He was a non-executive director of the Orion · London & Colonial Services Limited Publishing Group, having been responsible for · Keats-Shelley Memorial Association (Incorporated) the securing of that company’s initial finance, and Head of Corporate Finance at Leopold · Brendon Arms Limited Joseph Merchant Bank. David Beale - He was also formerly Chief Executive of Non-Executive Director Urbach Hacker Young International, an international association of independent Qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of accounting and advisory firms, with members Actuaries in 1965, David brings with him in 35 countries. extensive experience having held a number of senior positions within Commercial Union Assurance, the last of which being Group Corporate Planning Manager, before moving on to the Orion Royal Bank where he spent 3 years as Managing Director with responsibility for investment management.

For the National Association of Pension Funds, and its partner Institutional Shareholder Services Inc of Washington, DC, he developed the RREV platform (Research, Recommendations, and Electronic Voting) now one of the leading providers of corporate governance services to Pension Funds and other financial institutions around the world. Having left Orion prior to setting up Beale John has also held positions on the boards of Dobie & Company Limited in 1989, David organisations, operating within a variety of spent the next nine years as joint managing sectors - from Film & Media, to Financial director, and subsequently a further 4 years Services and Printing. working in a consultancy capacity after the company was sold to the Fedsure Group of CONTACT US South Africa in 1998. For more information about the London & As well as his current role as a Non-Executive Colonial group of companies, or any of our Director of London & Colonial Holdings products, please contact our Financial Adviser Limited, David has also served as an Support team on 0203 640 6840 or Investment Adviser to both St Thomas’s alternatively you can visit our website at Hospital Special Trustees, and the British www.londoncolonial.com: Heart Foundation, as well as having been a past serving member on the council of FIMBRA.

John Handley - Non-Executive Director

In addition to his role as a Non-Executive Director of London & Colonial Holdings Limited, John is a founding partner of Handley Roberts, a firm of bespoke tax consultants specialising in the provision of tax planning London & Colonial advice to partnerships, private companies, and 38 - 42 Perrymount Road high net worth individuals. Haywards Heath West Sussex John brings with him many years of taxation RH16 3DN experience, having held positions at Chartered Accountants - Spicer & Pegler and T: 0203 640 6840 Accountancy & Auditing firm - Hacker Young, F: 0203 479 5506 before heading up the tax department at E: [email protected] Chartered Accountancy firm Barnes Roffe. W: www.londoncolonial.com Prior to setting up Handley Roberts, with partner Bob Roberts in 1995, John was a Tax Partner at Beavis Walker – founder member of INPACT, the globally established ‘International Network of Professional Accountants’.

A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, he is a Chartered Tax Adviser, and holds a BSc (Joint Honours) in Maths & Physics. For more information, please scan the QR code below or contact us using one of the contact details below: tel: 0203 640 6840 fax: 0203 479 5506 web: www.londoncolonial.com E-mail: [email protected]

London & Colonial Holdings Limited, London & Colonial Services Limited, London & Colonial Central Services Limited and London & Colonial Trustees Limited are registered in England and Wales. Registered numbers 4093489, 2966313, 7966194, 2275364 respectively. Registered office at 38-42 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3DN. London & Colonial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. London & Colonial Assurance plc and London & Colonial (Trustee Services) Limited are registered in Gibraltar. Registered numbers 80650 and 102550 respectively. Registered office PO Box 199, 57-63 Line Wall Road, Gibraltar. London & Colonial Assurance plc and London & Colonial (Trustee Services) Limited are authorised by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission.