Nadeem Ladha and Cath Williams: Personal attention and strategic, hands-on trusteeship
Two independent trustees have launched a new professional trustee firm, Aretas, in a bid to bring a more customised, relationship-driven solution to schemes.
Nadeem Ladha and Cath Williams – who were both previously trustee directors at Vidett until September last year – said Aretas Trustees would position itself as a firm that values long-term relationships over volume and aimed to stand out by providing "personal attention and strategic, hands-on trusteeship".
Ladha explained: "We believe that strong, trusted and open relationships are the key to delivering real value.
"At Aretas, we work closely and in real-time with sponsors to understand their specific needs and then develop strategies that ensure the best possible outcomes."
This emphasis on partnership is reflected in the firm's operational model. Aretas operates as an independent, partner-owned business – a structure it says allows its team the flexibility to focus entirely on the needs of their clients, without the pressures of institutional shareholders or large corporate structures.
Tailored solutions
Aretas commented on the regulatory environment for pension schemes – which it says has grown increasingly complex in recent years, with new rules and requirements putting more strain on both trustee boards and sponsors.
Williams said this meant there was no single solution for schemes, who would often need a more tailored approach.
She said: "We understand that every pension scheme is different. There's no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether we're acting as sole trustees, collaborating with others as chair, or adding expertise to the trustee board in a co-trustee role, our goal is to provide clear, actionable trusteeship that helps schemes and sponsors navigate challenges and achieve long-term sustainability."
This approach is underpinned by the firm's use of technology that integrates real-time financial and governance data – helping trustees manage compliance and make informed decisions.
Ladha said this system allows Aretas to "harness technology in a way that complements our hands-on approach," ensuring clients receive the benefits of both personal service and tech-driven tools.
Industry experience
Both Ladha and Williams have worked with a variety of pension schemes during a combined 45 years in the industry.
Ladha is an accredited trustee and actuary. He worked as an actuary at both Hymans Robertson and PwC before moving into professional trusteeship at 20-20 Trustees, the firm now known as Vidett, in 2018.
Williams is also an accredited trustee and actuary. She worked as an actuary at firms including Mercer, PwC and Xafinity Consulting, the firm that later became XPS Pensions, before joining Steve Southern Trustees, the business that was later bought by 20-20 Trustees, in 2016.
Aretas said this experience gave it the depth of understanding needed to manage a wide range of challenges, from investment and funding strategies and risk management to corporate restructurings and conflict resolution.
Williams said she believed the new firm's strength lay in its ability to combine technical expertise and experience with a collaborative, open style of working.
She said: "We don't just provide oversight. We actively engage with all stakeholders to ensure that the best decisions are made and that those decisions are implemented to drive efficiencies and enhance value."
