MEA | Q3 2025 9 Managing retirement funds represents a complex fiduciary responsibility, demanding careful navigation of regulatory requirements, investment strategies, and member outcomes. For HR executives and CFOs seeking independent fund consulting, Independent Trustee Services offers clarity, compliance, and confidence – unlike bundled providers, the firm’s loyalty is to its client’s fund, not to a service partner. Join us below as we speak with Dr. Henry Dul, Managing Director of Independent Trustee Services, as the firm is named in the African Excellence Awards 2025. Independent Trustee Services is an authorised financial service provider renowned for its expertise in retirement fund investments, consulting, pension law, and pre-retirement and post-retirement fund counselling. A leader in its field, the firm focuses specifically on providing benefit consulting services to funds, individual clients, employers, management committees, trustees, principal officers, members of funds, and participating employers of retirement funds. Independent Trustee Services provides endto-end expertise in governance, legal, fiduciary, and compliance services under one roof, delivering seamless support for complex needs. Independent Trustee Services adheres to a code of conduct that ensures independence, quality service, responsibility, and continuous education. The Independent Trustee Services -service offering includes independent trustee services, benefit counselling and consulting, training services, secretarial services, independent principal officer services, communication services, independent financial advisory, and legal services. Independent Trustee Services’s values are grounded in simplicity, independence, and practical expertise, and form the very foundation of the trust it builds and the quality it delivers. These values guide how the firm serves its clients, makes decisions, and upholds its role as a steward of retirement fund governance. Independent Trustee Services values its independence, without obligation to external parties or stakeholders, enabling it to provide unbiased advice built around what is best for our clients. “What sets our company apart from others, is our true independence,” Henry explained. “As we have no ties to insurers, administrators, or asset managers; we are always objective. We offer a vast range of governance, across the retirement funding spectrum, not piecemeal support. We deliver clear, confident advice that makes sense and drives action, to ensure smooth operation and not crisis management.” This approach has enabled Independent Trustee Services to build a stellar reputation in the industry for its independence and expertise. This is reflected in the skillset and reliability of our employees, who regularly participate in industry events and hold memberships with organisations such as Batseta (a non-profit organisation focused on the interested of principal officers, trustees, and fund fiduciaries within the retirement industry and managed by its own appointed Board of Directors). Independent Trustee Services’s internal environment prioritises open communication, teamwork, and cross-functional team culture. Each member of the team undergoes continuous business development, regularly attending conferences and webinars to ensure that they remain up to date with regulation changes. These initiatives equip the team with the relevant information to maintain the firm’s renowned end-to-end service offerings. As Independent Trustee Services grows, it maintains this powerful sense of inclusive company culture ensures that each member of the team works in alignment with one shared vision. “Our mission is to build trust through three key pillars: clarity, expertise, and independence.” Henry shared. “We aim to be the leading voice in retirement fund advice, converting credibility into sustainable growth. We believe that our mission is aligned with the current economic climate in Africa, and we strive to move forward with honesty and transparency.” At present, Independent Trustee Services has several Trustee appointments, made in terms of Section 26(2) of the Pension Fund Act 24 of 1956, for retirement funds that were previously mismanaged. Some of this work has been undertaken on a pro-bono basis as the funds’ assets were misappropriated by former administrators. The ultimate goal is to help affected members recover their lost retirement savings by taking action against the responsible administrators and service providers, and by pursuing claims with insurers. Looking to the future, Independent Trustee Services has prosperous plans to expand its services. The firm has begun work on a survey for umbrella funds in conjunction with a distinguished actuarial firm. This is an exciting endeavour that will further cement Independent Trustee Services’s position at the forefront of the industry, demonstrating precisely why Independent Trustee Services has been named Gauteng’s Best Retirement Fund Consultancy Firm 2025. Contact: Henry Dul Company: Independent Trustee Services Web Address: www.independenttrusteeservices.co.za Best Retirement Fund Consultancy Firm 2025 – Gauteng
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