Many small and mid sized DB schemes are feeling the pressure of rising governance expectations. Funding negotiations are more complex, investment decisions carry greater scrutiny, and regulatory engagement demands more structure than ever. Yet thousands of schemes still operate without any professional trustee support.

For many, moving to a Corporate Sole Trustee (CST) model feels disproportionate — too disruptive, too costly, and too great a cultural shift. But doing nothing is no longer a safe option.

HS Trustees are promoting Trustee Board+ offering a smarter middle path. This model places an experienced HS Trustees professional directly onto an existing trustee board. The board stays intact, the Chair continues to lead, and sponsor relationships remain undisturbed. What changes is the quality and confidence of governance: clearer decision making, stronger challenge, better regulatory readiness, and more effective engagement with advisers.

Trustee Board+ is designed specifically for small schemes. It’s fixed fee, predictable, and easy to adopt — making professional trustee expertise accessible to small schemes that need support but don’t want to move to a CST structure.

Advisers are increasingly recommending Trustee Board+ because it improves meeting discipline, reduces friction on complex projects, and provides clients with a proportionate governance uplift that can be implemented quickly.

For schemes seeking more structure, challenge, and regulatory confidence — without losing continuity or control — Trustee Board+ is a practical step forward.

HS Trustees offers a governance diagnostic call for advisers and schemes exploring whether Trustee Board+ is the right fit.