Hartley Pensions Limited entered administration in July 2022 following FCA intervention. The FSCS declared the firm in default in February 2024, covering exit and administration charges. Hartley held SIPP books inherited from several other failed operators including Greyfriars and Gaudi clients. If you have a Hartley SIPP, your claim options depend on the origin of your pension and the investments held.
Hartley Pensions Limited (formerly Hartley Lifetime Pensions Limited) was a long-established SIPP and SSAS operator that entered administration in July 2022 following a Financial Conduct Authority investigation. Joint administrators from UHY Hacker Young LLP were appointed to manage the estate.
Hartley acquired by novation the SIPP books of several previously failed operators — including tranches of Greyfriars Asset Management clients and Gaudi Regulated Services clients — in order to provide continuity of service. This means that many Hartley SIPP holders originally held SIPPs with other failed operators, and may have claims against multiple entities.
The FSCS declared Hartley in default in February 2024 to enable it to pay compensation in respect of exit and administration charges. The FSCS has indicated that it will open further claims opportunities in relation to other matters in due course. Clients whose SIPPs contain impaired or non-standard assets — including Store First storage pods — remain within the ongoing administration process.
The correct route depends on whether the firm is still active, the nature of your loss, and whether FSCS compensation has already been paid on related adviser claims.
Hartley is in administration and cannot process routine complaints. However, if an FCA-regulated IFA recommended the original transfer to a Hartley (or predecessor) SIPP and is still trading, a direct complaint against that adviser under DISP remains available.
Against live adviser onlyFOS has received and upheld complaints against Hartley Pensions in connection with its treatment of transferred SIPPs and fee charging practices. If you have a live adviser complaint, FOS escalation remains a route after initial rejection.
FOS jurisdiction confirmedThe FSCS declared Hartley in default in February 2024 for exit charge compensation. Further claims windows for other losses are expected. You may also have separate FSCS claims against Greyfriars (default Apr 2020) or Gaudi (default Mar 2026) if your SIPP originated with those operators.
FSCS — multiple claims possibleWhere FSCS compensation does not cover your full loss — particularly for large pension transfers with substantial investment losses — civil litigation against surviving adviser firms or other solvent parties in the chain may allow uncapped recovery.
Uncapped recoveryHartley Pensions presents a complex multi-party claims environment because it acquired by novation the pension books of multiple failed SIPP operators. As a result, claimants may have claims against Hartley as the current operator, against the original operator (e.g. Greyfriars, Gaudi), and against any FCA-regulated IFA who recommended the original transfer.
The FOS upheld complaints against Hartley on the basis that it breached Principle 6 (treating customers fairly) by continuing to charge fees that were disproportionate to the services provided to holders of inherited SIPPs. This is distinct from the underlying investment mis-selling claims, which should be directed to the original operator or adviser.
The legal precedents of Berkeley Burke v FOS [2018], Adams v Carey Pensions [2020], and Fletcher [2024] EWCA Civ 541 all apply to the SIPP operator due diligence framework relevant to claims involving non-standard assets held in Hartley's SIPP book.
SIPP operator claims are subject to the same DISP and Limitation Act deadlines as adviser claims. FSCS claims must also meet prescribed eligibility windows.
FSCS claims windows for Hartley Pensions are subject to ongoing development. FSCS eligibility rules and Limitation Act provisions apply. Claims relating to original adviser mis-selling are subject to standard DISP time limits. Check both the FSCS website and our time limits guide promptly.
Redress Advisory assesses your position across all four routes and connects you with an SRA-regulated solicitor at no upfront cost.
Begin Your AssessmentYou do not need to use a claims management company to pursue a pension mis-selling complaint. You can complain directly to the financial firm, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), apply to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), or instruct a solicitor independently — all free of charge. Using Redress Advisory does not improve the likelihood of success compared to pursuing a claim yourself, and our fee will reduce any compensation you receive.
Redress Advisory Ltd (Company No. 17295681) is a claims management company. Regulated legal work is carried out by our Operating SRA Partner solicitor firms. We are not a firm of solicitors and we do not provide legal advice.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or claims management advice. Individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case. Historical outcomes in related cases are not a guarantee of results in your case.
FOS: 0800 023 4567 | FSCS: 0800 678 1100 | FCA Register: register.fca.org.uk