Case Study: Roadchef (Employee Benefits Trustees) Limited

Roadchef Employee Benefits Trustees Limited (“REBTL”) was a corporate trustee of an Employee Benefits Trust scheme, one of the first to be set up. The Board, having recovered significant funds for over 4,000 beneficiaries following settled litigation, came to Menzies for expert guidance and advice having managed the litigation, the recoveries and the communication with the stakeholders over a 20-year period.

We faced several challenges while supporting the trustee, including:

• Developing an effective strategy to communicate with thousands of beneficiaries, many of whom were unaware of their entitlements.
• Overcoming difficulties in verifying beneficiary information due to the trust’s age and the complexity of the case.
• Assisting the Trustee in constructing an application to court to enable it to describe the strategy effectively and obtain a court order incorporating it.
• Ensuring the fair and transparent distribution of funds in line with the court order, which required careful planning and negotiation.

To address these challenges, we implemented a structured approach:

• We established dedicated help lines, email addresses, and a comprehensive FAQ resource. These systems provided beneficiaries with clear information and accessible assistance throughout the distribution process.
• Recognising the difficulty caused by incomplete records, we implemented robust processes to address gaps and accurately verify beneficiary information.
• We developed tailored communication strategies to ensure beneficiaries clearly understood the distribution process and their entitlements.
• We provided expert advice to the Board on an “ad hoc” basis allowing the Board to make decisions in an agile manner.

Our collaborative efforts led to several positive outcomes:

• The funds were distributed in full compliance with the court order.
• Beneficiaries received the information and assistance they needed through our responsive communication channels.
• Materially all the trust was distributed to beneficiaries with a tiny amount being returned to the Court.
• Our team received heartfelt appreciation from beneficiaries, with one individual sending a thank-you note to express gratitude for our dedication and hard work.

The Roadchef case exemplifies our commitment to delivering effective solutions in complex legal and financial situations. Our expertise in strategic communication, negotiation support, and operational management ensured a fair and transparent resolution for all parties involved.