STAR, the industry award scheme designed to combat delays in electronic transfer times, has published the 2025 accreditations. The initiative awarded 55 accreditations to leading pensions and financial service organisations across the four categories: ISA/GIA, Personal Pensions SIPP & SSAS, Occupational Pensions and Asset Managers.
Founded by two independent, not-for-profit organisations, Criterion and TeX, STAR was established to recognise and reward firms committed to improving transfer times. As the driving force behind the largest industry-wide collaboration, STAR is at the forefront of efforts to enhance transfer efficiency across pensions, investments, and savings. Through its gold, silver, and bronze accreditations, STAR evaluates firms based on the Management Information (MI) they provide, promoting transparency, accountability, and a better experience for consumers.
The importance of STAR’s mission is heightened by the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Consumer Duty rules, which require firms to prevent foreseeable harm and support customers in achieving their financial goals. The FCA has made it clear that firms failing to engage with STAR will face increased regulatory scrutiny, underscoring the initiative’s critical role in industry-wide progress.
By fostering collaboration across the industry, STAR is galvanising market participants to drive meaningful, lasting improvements. The 2025 accreditations celebrate those firms that are shaping a more efficient and customer-friendly transfer landscape.
Andrew Marker, Head of Retail Pensions, Vanguard and STAR Steering Group Chair
“Firmly positioned at the heart of industry collaboration, STAR is driving real change in transfer efficiency. These accreditations recognise firms that are committed to greater transparency and accountability - key principles under Consumer Duty. STAR has been running for over five years, and in that time, we’ve made significant strides in setting industry-wide standards. I am delighted to congratulate XPS Group for achieving two accreditations for SIPP & SSAS and occupational pensions. Firms putting themselves forward for accreditation should be applauded for holding themselves up to scrutiny and being held accountable for their performance. Participating in the STAR transfers initiative does not guarantee that a firm will be successful, as a STAR accreditation is based on merit. We urge all firms who are eligible to participate and make it clear to consumers that they are taking their transfer performance seriously.”
David Watkins, Managing Director of Administration at XPS Group
“We are delighted to receive these accreditation awards from STAR in recognition of the quality of our transfer processes and our turnaround times for administering pension transfer cases. This has been achieved thanks to the tremendous dedication of our people, supported by our significant investment in technology."
Andy Bowsher, Director of XPS Self Invested Pensions
“Financial advisers need to know that the pension providers they work with are committed to making transfers into and out of their pensions, as smooth as possible for clients. Achieving the STAR silver accreditation for our SIPP and SSAS transfer process is really important to us and excellent recognition for the service we provide. This is especially so given the relative complexity that SIPP & SSAS can hold. Thank you to everyone involved, including STAR for the great work you do in improving standards across our industry.”
Full details of the accreditations are available here.