Expert Guidance Tailored for You
Welcome to our consulting haven, where every step of your journey is met with care and understanding. Let's navigate your path to success together, ensuring your ambitions become a reality.
We are a professional partnership with over 30 years of combined experience in public sector services, including more than a decade of specialist expertise in payroll, pensions, the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), and the Firefighters’ Pension Schemes (FPS).
As experienced and results-driven Managers, we have a strong record of leading service improvement initiatives that optimise operations, reduce processing times, and enhance customer satisfaction. Our collaborative, practical approach has consistently improved communication with stakeholders, built trust, and increased engagement across complex pension environments.
Get in touch today to discuss how our expert consultants can provide tailored solutions to drive your business forward. Our dedicated team is ready to assist with any inquiries and ensure your consulting needs are met with precision.
Our Services
Whether you require interim support during periods of transition or specialized expertise to address complex challenges, our team is committed to maintaining the seamless operation of your scheme. With extensive experience, we ensure ongoing compliance and robust governance, enabling you to manage change with assurance. We work collaboratively to uphold the efficiency and reliability of your scheme in any circumstance
Engaging an external provider for pensions management offers access to a dedicated team of specialists. Assigning sole responsibility for managing a pension scheme to one individual poses significant risk, as their unplanned absence may cause service disruptions and continuity challenges unless robust contingency measures are in place. By outsourcing pensions management, organisations gain the flexibility to scale resources in alignment with the evolving requirements of the scheme and workforce.
Changes in pension legislation, regulation, or best practice have historically generated long-term and complex initiatives that extend beyond the routine responsibilities of managing a pension scheme. These additional projects frequently present considerable complexity and demand significant time investment.
The role of a pensions manager shares many characteristics with effective project management. Responsibilities such as organising meetings, monitoring budgets, and managing stakeholder expectations and relationships highlight the necessity for strong organisational skills. Effectively allocating time and resources to these supplementary projects remains a significant and ongoing challenge.
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Retirement Planning
Our qualified and experienced coach focusses on wellbeing and can help support individuals in planning for the next part of their lives after retirement. Whether you're approaching retirement or already adjusting to life beyond work, our tailored coaching sessions offer a safe and empowering space to explore what comes next.
We help build confidence in navigating this transition, offering guidance on the wide range of options available from second careers, volunteering, creative activities or travel. Maintaining a sense of purpose is central to our approach, as is supporting your physical and emotional wellbeing through healthy routines and lifestyle choices.
Adjusting to a new daily rhythm can be challenging, but with the right support, it can become an opportunity for growth and fulfilment. We explore ways to maintain strong social connections, ensuring that retirement doesn’t mean isolation but rather a chance to deepen relationships. If desired, we can also explore how to remain current with evolving practices and technologies.
While we do not offer formal financial advice, we can help you think clearly about financial management and planning, so you feel informed and in control. Ultimately, our goal is to help you shape a retirement that feels meaningful, energising, and uniquely yours.
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Payroll consultancy and Implementation support
Documentation & SOP Development – Creating comprehensive, accessible Standard Operating Procedures and guidance materials to support teams in adopting and maintaining new operational practices.
Training & Knowledge Transfer – Designing effective training packages and concise reference materials to enhance staff capabilities and facilitate seamless transitions.
HR Systems / Process Improvement – Applying extensive Oracle HR/Payroll expertise to assist with system testing, identify areas for increased efficiency, and streamline processes consistent with project objectives.
Firefighters` Pension Scheme Training
We offer comprehensive training sessions pertaining to the Firefighters’ Pension Schemes (FPS). These sessions address key topics including the McCloud/Sargeant Age Discrimination Remedy, the Matthews exercise effective from 1 October 2023, and pensions tax considerations for higher earners.
Designed to enhance the expertise of those administering the FPS such as professionals in finance, HR, payroll, scheme management, as well as individuals involved in support and governance, the training can be undertaken as a complete series or as standalone modules. All sessions contribute towards valuable continuing professional development (CPD).
Sessions 1 (2 days)
Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of the FPS and their significance, as well as gain clarity regarding the remedy situation and the legal and ethical responsibilities associated with their roles.
Enhanced knowledge of the remedy situation will enable attendees to take appropriate measures to support their Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) in managing workforce and staffing expenses, supply required data and information to administrators for the implementation of remedies and communicate effectively and efficiently with members.
Session 2 (1 day)
Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of the UK pensions tax regime, with particular emphasis on the Annual Allowance (AA) and Lifetime Allowance (LTA). The session will cover the calculation of tax charges and outline the available options for meeting these charges.
Session 3 (1 day)
This will provide clarity regarding additional AA and LTA tax considerations arising from the McCloud Remedy, outlining the required actions and associated deadlines.
Scopes:
Day 1 will provide the background to the FPS and introduce the Pensions Remedy including:
An overview of the different schemes (1992, 2006, Modified 2006, 2015)
A brief history of the McCloud case and the current status of the legal considerations
What is the agreed Remedy and its implications with some examples
The Matthews case and the interaction with the McCloud Remedy
The discussion of common ‘myths and misunderstandings
The implications for Local Pension Boards and Governance
Top-up grant forecasting providing an opportunity to discuss
Next steps for each FRA to consider
Day 2 will build on session 1 focusing on the employer considerations of the Pensions Remedy and Matthews case, namely:
The main employer responsibilities – data provision, use of standardised templates, implementing the remedy and liaising with the pension administrator
How to help employees and raise awareness/engagement
Outlier groups specifically affected
Succession planning within your organisation
Where to go for information and questions
Communication and engagement with your Workforce
Future issues such as Immediate Detriment / Tax consequences
Next steps and actions for each FRA to consider
Session 2 is to provide high earners with the knowledge and understanding of how the AA and the LTA work within the UK Pensions Tax regime. This will:
Provide detailed information about the AA and the LTA along with case studies.
Explain the mechanics of how the scheme pays option could be used to meet any tax charges in practice.
Explain the protection that has been made available by HMRC in relation to the LTA reduction and corresponding conditions and deadlines.
Provide key factors that employees should bear in mind to assist them in monitoring and planning for these issues in future years (e.g. impact of overtime).
Next steps – who to contact for more information, where to go for advice, touch on implications of the McCloud Ruling
Session 3 will build on session 2 focusing on the FPS and the tax implications of the McCloud Remedy, including:
Brief recap of the Pensions Tax regime in the UK
Brief recap of the McCloud Remedy is and what is happening at phase 2 or ‘rollback’ on 1 October 2023.
Actions required and timescales for historic tax years during the remedy period
Calculation and settling of under/over payment of tax charges including case studies
Implications for the 2022/23 tax year
Choice at retirement AA and LTA tax implications
Continuous Improvement & Change Management
In today’s fast-paced business environment, staying competitive means never standing still. Our Continuous Improvement and Change Management approach empowers organisations to evolve strategically, adapt swiftly, and deliver lasting value.
We believe that improvement isn’t a one-time initiative—it’s a mindset. Through data-driven analysis, collaborative problem-solving, and employee engagement, we help organizations identify inefficiencies, optimize processes, and embed a culture of ongoing improvement.
Change is inevitable, but successful transformation requires careful planning, clear communication, and strong leadership. Our change management framework ensures that your teams are supported throughout the journey—minimizing disruption, maximizing adoption, and aligning people, processes, and technology.
What We Offer:
Process Review & Optimization
Identify bottlenecks and streamline operations to improve efficiency and quality.Lean & Six Sigma Methodologies
Apply proven strategies to eliminate waste and enhance performance.Change Readiness Assessments
Evaluate your organization’s capacity to manage and sustain change effectively.Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Planning
Keep your people informed, involved, and inspired throughout the transformation.Training & Capability Building
Equip your teams with the skills and tools to drive continuous improvement from within.