“Bringing real‑world voices into pensions is crucial” - TAP trainee Prashant Asher

For Prashant Asher, Head of Reporting and MI Transformation at Standard Life, the route into the Trustee Apprenticeship Programme (TAP) began almost by chance. “I was looking at a pension transfer notification… and I was like, I just don’t know what this means,” he recalls.  

At that exact moment, an email landed advertising TAP. “Literally whilst I was holding that piece of paper… it said apply for the Trustee Accelerator Programme.” 

Despite working for a pensions organisation, Prashant hadn’t come from a pensions background. Previously working in utilities, he found himself increasingly curious. “The more I read into it, the more I thought this is really interesting.”  

Aiming to Learn, Give Back and Grow 

For Prashant, TAP was partly about upskilling but equally about helping those around him. “It was to advance my own career, but also to take that knowledge back to friends and family,” he says. “Thinking about family members who I see struggling in their retirement… I thought what a good opportunity to join the programme and just learn more.” 

As he progressed, he also discovered new possibilities he hadn’t previously considered. “I hadn’t realised that being a trustee you could develop a career… the non‑exec portfolio career was quite exciting for me.” These realisations made TAP feel like a rare and valuable opportunity. 

Support, Mentorship and a Growing Network 

One of the standout elements of TAP for Prashant was the people. He credits his mentor and buddy for supporting him throughout. “I was quite fortunate to have a really good mentor… having her knowledge and someone to talk to throughout the process has been very positive.” 

Alongside structured learning, TAP helped him build connections he hadn’t expected: “It’s enabled me to build a network in the industry.” 

Content Designed to Build Confidence Over Time 

Prashant found TAP’s two‑year structure ideal for managing learning alongside a demanding job. “The period across two years has made it digestible over time,” he explains. With well‑designed modules and expert-led sessions, the learning felt high quality and practical: “The modules have been well thought through with the right experts… and the trustee talk modules have been very helpful.” 

While two years sounded long at the start, he says, “It’s flown by.” 

Putting Learning into Practice 

Through TAP, Prashant was able to observe real trustee meetings, which built his confidence. “I’ve had the opportunity to go in there, ask silly questions… it gave me a better insight into the business.” 

This practical experience meant the programme’s final simulated trustee meeting felt exciting rather than intimidating. “Not daunted… more excited,” he says. The scenarios “brought it to life, made it real,” and highlighted the significance of trusteeship: “It’s quite a powerful role.” 

Prashant’s Perspective on Diversity 

Prashant notes how diversity of experience, financial literacy and background is key to why pensions matter, and has reflected on the people in his own life who lacked access to financial education and how that motivated him to join TAP: 

For him, pensions is not a closed world for experts but something that touches everyone, and he sees value in bringing in voices who understand the real financial challenges people face. He frames pensions as an intersection of economics, communication and human lives: “Pensions is not just about pensions… it’s about communications, about how you interact with people.” 

This reflects a broader belief that trustees benefit from diverse perspectives - people who think differently, communicate differently and come from different financial realities. It’s this type of diversity he sees as essential to strengthening the sector. 

Changing Perceptions About Pensions 

Prashant admits he once saw pensions as distant and abstract. “Pensions can be perceived as quite a boring subject… thinking about things 30 or 40 years ahead.” But TAP reshaped that view. “Pensions touch everything - the economy and the way the world works.” 

He now sees pensions as central not only to financial systems but to families, communities and long‑term wellbeing. 

Looking Forward 

Prashant has now passed his PMI exams and excited to take the next step toward securing his first trustee role. TAP has given him the confidence, knowledge and network he needs - turning a chance encounter into a meaningful new direction.