2026 sole trustee landscape report

Welcome to our 2026 report on the professional corporate sole trustee market, exploring the landscape for defined benefit (DB) and hybrid pension schemes over the year to 31 March 2026.

This year’s report looks at what trends are emerging on both the supply and demand sides of this market. While sole trustee appointments continue to increase, growth has slowed as the market matures and consolidation continues. Against this market outlook, many professional trustee firms are taking a conservative recruitment approach. As growth opportunities for these firms are broadening, recruitment may become more focused.

Complete the short form below to download your copy of the report and explore the latest trends shaping the professional corporate sole trustee market.

Key findings

• Professional trustees are estimated to represent just over half of all 4,750 DB schemes for the first time.
• Growth of sole trustee appointment has more than halved on average over the last three years, relative to the prior three years.
• Almost 45% of the sole trustee appointments are for schemes with fewer than 100 members.
• A number of schemes governed by sole trustees are looking to run on.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss the findings further, please get in touch.