Harlequin SIPP firms 'to earn £17m fees' as investors left in limbo

Laura Miller
clock

Self-invested personal pension (SIPP) providers holding Harlequin investments are set to earn £17m from investors in fees over the next ten years, according to a law firm, while the underlying investment could be virtually worthless.

About 3,400 of the nearly 6,000 people who invested hundreds of millions of pounds into troubled unregulated overseas property company Harlequin Property did so via their SIPPs. However, the value of the investments is in doubt after a string of problems at Harlequin meant work stopped on the hotels and villas it was due to build across the Caribbean and Brazil, leaving investors in limbo and unable to get their money out. The Lifetime SIPP company, which according to law firm Regulatory Legal has the second highest holdings of Harlequin, has valued the investments at a nominal value ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Pensions

UK workers regret not learning about pensions sooner

UK workers regret not learning about pensions sooner

Over half admit to feeling out of their depth, research finds

Isabel Baxter
clock 08 April 2025 • 2 min read
Why is it so difficult to switch a pension? Navigating the transfer maze

Why is it so difficult to switch a pension? Navigating the transfer maze

‘If I didn’t work in pensions, I might have simply given up on many occasions

Lisa Picardo
clock 08 April 2025 • 4 min read
Many savers not accessing guidance or advice ten years on from pension freedoms

Many savers not accessing guidance or advice ten years on from pension freedoms

Fewer people understand their options now compared to three years ago, IFoA finds

Holly Roach
clock 07 April 2025 • 4 min read