The office of Protector carries real fiduciary responsibility and with that responsibility comes risk. Appointing a relative or friend as Protector, Appointor or Guardian of the family trust may no longer be desirable or appropriate.

Increasingly, beneficiaries appear to feel that their trustee does not stay closely in touch with them and does not understand their real needs. Fears of “being treated like a number” are voiced more frequently. Some beneficiaries have expressed concern that in providing other services to the trust (and most commonly giving investment advice) their trustee may struggle to avoid conflict. Beneficiaries are often not able to ask all of the pertinent questions and some fear that the trustee may become defensive if they do so. Much has been written about the downward spiral that can develop in relationships between professional trustees and their “clients”.

Newhaven International Protectors Limited was incorporated in response to the growing demand for a professional Protector service. As well as performing those duties reserved for the Protector in an informed, independent and professional manner, the objectives are to assist:

• Beneficiaries by remaining fully aware of their circumstances and requirements; by asking appropriate questions of trustees and other advisors and by ensuring the receipt of appropriate and understandable reporting.
• Trustees by providing better and more comprehensive information upon which they can base their decisions and plan the management of assets.
• Legal, tax and other professional advisors by involving them at all appropriate times. The duties of Newhaven International Protectors Limited are discharged by independent, qualified professionals employed by Newhaven Trust Company (CI) Limited.

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