Member Nominated Trustees (URPS)

MNTs are appointed for a fixed term period of three years from the date of commencement. At the end of a term of office, an existing Trustee may choose to put themselves forward again for re‑appointment, subject to the Scheme’s nomination process. When vacancies occur, eligible members will be informed about the opportunity to volunteer for appointment to the Board.

What is a Trustee?

The Trustees administer the Scheme in accordance with legal documents which contain the framework of the Scheme, including the Trustees' powers and duties and set out the rights and interests of the beneficiaries. The Trustees must act impartially at all times for all beneficiaries and not a particular class of beneficiary.

Much of the day-to-day duties are carried out or delegated to specialists appointed by the Trustees. These include the scheme administrator, our investment managers, legal adviser and investment consultant. These are all supported by the University’s Pensions Team.

Whilst you do not have to be a pensions expert, the law does require Trustees to have an understanding of the law relating to pensions and trusts, the funding of pension schemes and investment of scheme assets. There are civil and criminal penalties which may apply to Trustees who fail to exercise their statutory duties.

As a Trustee, you have to act in accordance with legislation. For example, The Pensions Regulator has put in place requirements, known as the Trustee Knowledge and Understanding requirements and an MNT will have to be familiar with and comply with these. 

The Pensions Regulator has set out Trustee Knowledge and Understanding (TKU) requirements with which all Trustees, including MNTs, must comply.

Further information about the role and responsibilities of Trustees is available on the Pensions Regulator's webpages.

Should you have any queries regarding MNTs, please contact the Secretary to the Trustees at h.burnell@reading.ac.uk.