Good to know: You do not need to use a claims management company to make your complaint to your pension provider or intermediary. If your complaint is not successful you can refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Pension Ombudsman yourself for free if the firm is still trading. For eligible failed firms, you can refer a claim to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme for free.
S&M Hughes Ltd was an independent financial advisory firm that was one of the companies associated with the British Steel Pension Scheme scandal.
S&M Hughes Ltd exploited the uncertainty that surrounded Tata’s Steel decision to sell its UK business in 2016, by advising many British Steelworkers to swap their defined benefit pension into risky investments and SIPP products losing valuable accrued benefits when they did. They were incorporated as a private limited company on 12 September 2003 and the wind up of the company commenced on 4 September 2019.
S&M Hughes Ltd traded as Crescent Financial and operated in the Swansea area. Their last accounts were made up to 5 April 2018, and their last annual return was made up to 2 September 2015. The company had 4 officers and 2 resignations:- Hughes, Mary Ellen Keegan (active); Hughes, Simon Richard (active); HCS Secretarial Limited (resigned); Hanover Directors Limited (resigned).
Were you mis-sold pension products by S&M Hughes?
The company is now a failed firm in liquidation, and you will not get a penny from S&M Hughes. However, the government has made compensation available for people like you.
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is accepting claims about S&M Hughes Ltd. Were you mis-sold SIPP or investment products by any of the advisors at S&M Hughes Ltd? If so, you may qualify for mis-sold pension or SIPP compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
S & M Hughes Ltd is one of the companies associated with claims regarding the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS).
During 2017, many British Steelworkers were advised to transfer out of their defined benefit pension into a defined contribution pension, known as a Personal Pension Plan or a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP).
Sadly, many British Steelworkers received negligent advice to transfer their desirable final salary pension to an inferior private plan. Many of which were then invested in high-risk esoteric funds that failed.
British Steel employees received enviable pensions. These were often final salary pensions, which keep pace with inflation. When the cost of living increases, your monthly income increases as well, and they don’t have fees or extra costs. Best of all, a final salary pension (also known as a defined benefit pension) lasts as long as you live.
By transferring to a private pension arrangement, British Steel employees would have lost the benefits already built up in the British Steel Pension Scheme. It may not have been realistic to achieve the same level of benefits from their new plan. These private pension schemes are limited – when the pot runs out, it runs out, which could leave you destitute in your golden years. Since they’re tied to the market, these risky pension plans can dwindle to zero overnight. You are also charged high annual fees and commissions.
S&M Hughes Ltd has been declared in default by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and can no longer pay out any returns. This means that the UK’s compensation scheme for failed financial services firms will pay compensation for valid mis-selling claims. Allegiant can assist you with claims to the FSCS about S&M Hughes Ltd. Fill in our online application form to get started.
Andy understands financial services regulations and the technical arguments required to make a successful claim.
In his career he has successfully dealt with an array of claims such as pension transfers and switches, SIPP and endowment claims.
Andy was part of the “Pension Review” and Customer Liaison Departments for Royal Sun Alliance. Unhappy with how consumers were being treated, he realigned himself and has been representing consumers since 2004, ensuring fair and equitable treatment for consumers.
Contact AndyIn this article, Allegiant’s Pensions & Investments Manager, Andy Ramsay, explores the fundamental differences between between the Court and Ombudsman routes for resolving pension & investment claims. The article highlights key differences in:-
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This article will be of particular interest to anyone with a potential compensation claim against a financial service provider that has collapsed.
Click to ReadThe Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has identified ‘serious and ongoing failings’ by both Individual Financial Advisers (IFAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pension Providers. Typically, mis-selling is related to the “wrong” type of investor being given poor or misleading advice as to what investments were relatively safe and right for them. In this summary, we look at What a SIPP is, and how they have been mis-sold, together with the FCA’s review into sector malpractice.
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Pre complaint investigation and analysis. No paperwork? Don't Worry! We could still help.
Once we've assessed claim prospects, we make a pension complaint to the Ombudsman or FSCS, where appropriate
Pension complaint response received. We'll carefully analyse the response and advise you on how to proceed.
If appropriate resolution cannot be reached with a live firm, and we disagree with their stance, we will refer the claim to Ombudsman on your instruction.
Allegiant always aligns great value with exceptional service. This winning formula has seen us emerge as one of the UK’s pre-eminent Claims Management Companies in recent years. See why Allegiant is a great choice below. *All information correct as at 28 August 2021.
How our fees work in practice:
• Compensation is £1,000, the fee is £250 plus VAT £50. This means the amount payable to us is £300 leaving you with the benefit of £700.
• Compensation is £3,000, the fee is £750 plus VAT £150. This means the amount payable to us is £900 leaving you with the benefit of £2,100.
• Compensation is £10,000, the fee is £2,500 plus VAT £500. This means that the amount payable to us is £3,000 leaving you with the benefit of £7,000.
NB. It is possible that our fee may become payable before you have access to your pension or investment which may result in you having to pay our fee from your own funds.
You can cancel for free at any time within 14-days without giving any reason and without incurring any liability. You can communicate your cancellation by telephone, post, email or online.
You can cancel this agreement at any time after the 14-day cancellation period. However, if a complaint submitted by us is successful, the Success Fee will apply in the usual way.
You can cancel by post: Allegiant Finance Services Limited, Freepost RTYU–XUTZ–YKJC, 400 Chadwick House, Warrington Road, Birchwood Park, Warrington, WA3 6AE; (b) by email: helpdesk@allegiant-finance.co.uk; (c) by telephone: 0345 544 1563; or (d) online at https://allegiant.co.uklegal/cancellation.
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We’ll treat your claim as strictly confidential. Your personal information is safe with us.
We’ve serviced over 100,000 clients across all service lines since our inception in 2010.
Our fees compare favourably to competitors. We actively encourage you to shop around.
We could still help if you don’t have all your paperwork or details. Our team are experienced in helping locate paperwork where possible.
Our online application system and claim audit surveys enable us to offer an efficient and convenient claims journey.
Good to know: You do not need to use a claims management company to make your complaint to your pension provider or intermediary. If your complaint is not successful you can refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Pension Ombudsman yourself for free if the firm is still trading. For eligible failed firms, you can refer a claim to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme for free.
