SIPP Operator Claim
FSCS DEFAULT — OCTOBER 2023

Holborn Assets Ltd — SIPP Operator Claim

Holborn Assets Ltd, a major international advisory group operating across the UAE, Asia Pacific, and Europe, was declared in FSCS default in October 2023. Also operating as Cheshire Pension Consultants, Expatriate Financial Planning Services, and Pension Transfer Experts. If you were advised by Holborn Assets, FSCS compensation and civil litigation routes are available.
FSCS default declared: October 2023

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What Happened

Holborn Assets Ltd was one of the largest international financial advisory networks operating across the UAE, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Australia. The firm and its associated brands — including Cheshire Pension Consultants, Expatriate Financial Planning Services, and Pension Transfer Experts — arranged large numbers of UK defined benefit pension transfers for British expatriates living and working overseas.

Many of these transfers involved recommendations to move defined benefit pension rights into SIPP arrangements to facilitate investment in high-cost, non-standard offshore structures. In many cases the UK FCA-authorised entity acted as a "rubber stamp" on transfers arranged by overseas-regulated entities, while the underlying investment arrangements were structured around commission-driven offshore products.

Holborn Assets Ltd was declared in FSCS default in October 2023 with 36+ registered claims. The international structure of the advice operation — combining UAE, Asia Pacific, and UK entities — creates a multi-route claims architecture including FSCS, FOS, and FSMA s.27 civil proceedings.

Which Claim Routes Apply

Route 3

FSCS Compensation

Holborn Assets was declared in FSCS default in October 2023. FSCS claims are open for eligible claimants. Claims focus on unsuitable DB pension transfer advice given by Holborn's network of entities across the UAE, Asia Pacific, and Europe.

Up to £85,000
Route 4

Civil Litigation — FSMA s.27

Where the overseas Holborn entity arranging your pension transfer was not FCA-authorised at the time, FSMA s.27 provides a civil court remedy for the full uncapped transfer value. International cases routinely exceed the £85,000 FSCS cap — Route 4 is the primary route for large losses.

Uncapped — FSMA s.27
⚠ Time Limit Warning — Act Now

Holborn Assets default October 2023 — FSCS route now open. However, the FOS six-year clock on the original advice runs from when the advice was given, not from the default date. For Holborn clients who transferred between 2015 and 2019, the FOS absolute clock may be approaching expiry. The FSMA s.27 civil route and the three-year awareness clock each have different limitation rules. Act now. See redressadvisory.com/time-limits for the full limitation framework.

Indicative Compensation Range

FSCS Route (Route 3)
Up to £85k
FSCS statutory cap £85,000 per firm
Civil Litigation (Route 4)
Full transfer value
Uncapped — court proceedings

Figures are indicative only and based on typical case profiles. Your actual position depends on your specific circumstances, the transfer value, and the applicable claim route. Not a guarantee of outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

I was advised by Holborn in the UAE — can I claim through UK routes?

Yes. Where the advice involved a UK pension transfer, FOS and FSCS jurisdiction typically applies to the UK-authorised entity regardless of where you were physically located when the advice was given. The FSMA s.27 civil route also applies to the UK SIPP contract regardless of where the advice was given.

What is the difference between Holborn Assets and Cheshire Pension Consultants?

Cheshire Pension Consultants, Expatriate Financial Planning Services, and Pension Transfer Experts were all trading names or associated entities connected to the Holborn Assets group. If your pension transfer was arranged under any of these names, the same claim routes apply.

My Holborn transfer was from a defined benefit scheme — what is my claim worth?

DB transfer cases are typically the highest-value claims in the SIPP mis-selling market. The calculation uses FCA DISP Appendix 4 methodology — comparing the current cost of reinstating your DB pension rights against the current value of your SIPP. At current gilt yields, average DB redress is approximately £32,000, rising significantly as yields fall.

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Redress Advisory Ltd is a technology platform. It is not a claims management company authorised by the FCA. All regulated claims work is carried out by our SRA-authorised Operating Partner solicitor firms. You may complain directly to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) on 0800 023 4567 or to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) on 0800 678 1100, both free of charge. Compensation ranges are indicative only and are not a guarantee of outcome. Time limits apply. Legal references: Berkeley Burke v FOS [2018] EWHC 2878 · Adams v Options UK [2021] EWCA Civ 1188 · Fletcher v Options UK [2024] EWCA Civ 541.