Code of Best Practice for Transition Managers: The T-Charter

Abstract

In response to demands by Pension Funds in the UK and Europe, best practice standards have been adopted for Transition Managers through the T-Charter initiative since 2007. Throughout the Transition Management industry, regardless of their business model of investment bank/broker, custodian, investment manager or consultant, all Transition Managers now work under a common code of operation and reporting. This cooperation was achieved after more than two years of discussion among the participant providers (numbering 17). In 2008, the National Association of Pension Funds (UK) recommended the full adoption of T-Charter Standards to all Pension Funds when mandating Transition Managers. Also in 2008, the T-Charter received further recognition in North America when the publication “Operations Management” gave the Best Teamwork 2008 Award to the T-Charter signatories.

In the United States, despite the protection and guidance afforded by ERISA and its call to adherence of standards of Fiduciary protection, Pension Funds are often left wondering if they have received best practice results largely due to the lack of transparency and standardization of both process and reporting.

The T-Charter history recalled in this article illustrates that standardized codes of practice and reporting can be achieved by a diverse community of providers to the mutual benefit of the Transition Managers and their Pension Fund clients.