Background
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has announced that two former senior executives of Safe Hands Plans Ltd and its parent company, SHP Capital Holdings Ltd, have been charged with conspiracy to defraud, following the collapse of Safe Hands in 2022. This follows the SFO’s ongoing investigation which was opened in October 2023 into suspected fraudulent activity connected to the firm and its funeral plan operations. Approximately 46,000 people were affected when Safe Hands ceased trading after it failed to secure the required regulatory permissions for the sale and management of funeral plans.
We understand this situation has been deeply distressing for the individuals and families affected.
The charges mark a significant development in clarifying how Safe Hands operated, and the authorities have now demonstrated that they believe the company’s actions may have been unlawful.
Ecclesiastical Planning Services is different
In light of this news, Ecclesiastical Planning Services (EPS) wishes to reassure all planholders, funeral director partners, and stakeholders that our business model, governance and regulatory protections are entirely different from those of Safe Hands.
EPS operates within a strong, transparent and fully regulated framework:
1. FCA Regulation and statutory protections:
EPS is fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means our products follow strict rules designed to protect consumers and ensure robust, ethical management of customer funds. In addition, planholders benefit from access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), providing additional layers of protection and support.
2. Customers’ funds are held safely and securely:
All funeral plan funds held by EPS are invested in whole-of-life insurance policies issued by FCA-regulated life insurance companies. This means:
- Funds are independently held and managed
- Capital is protected within long-established, regulated financial institutions
- There is no scenario in which EPS can access or misuse customer funds.
3. Fully compliant business conduct:
EPS does not share any operational, ownership or historical ties with Safe Hands Plans Ltd. The SFO’s actions reinforce that Safe Hands operated outside the standards required in today’s regulated environment. EPS operates within a fully compliant framework that prioritises consumer protection, transparency and long-term financial security.
Key points
- EPS is fully FCA regulated and our priority is regulatory compliance.
- EPS planholders are protected through the FSCS and the FOS – protection that did not apply to Safe Hands’ customers.
- Our customer funds are held securely by FCA-regulated life insurance providers, not by EPS Planning Services itself.
- EPS has no connections to Safe Hands Plans Ltd or SHP Capital Holdings Ltd.
- The recent charges brought by the SFO highlight the importance of dealing with a regulated provider such as EPS.
Our Commitment
EPS is committed to maintaining the highest standards of consumer protection, operating integrity and regulatory compliance. We understand the sensitivity surrounding funeral planning and remain dedicated to providing long-term security and peace of mind for every customer and funeral director we serve.
Talk to the team
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