Trust Deed Scotland® has been helping people across Scotland deal with unaffordable debt since 2009.
Over that time, thousands of people have come to us at one of the most stressful points in their lives. For many, making the first call is not easy. Debt can feel overwhelming, isolating and difficult to talk about. It can affect your sleep, your confidence, your relationships and your day-to-day wellbeing.
That is why, from the beginning, our focus has always been simple: to provide clear, tailored debt advice with understanding, professionalism and without judgement.
This week, as Harper McDermott celebrates its 10th birthday, we are reflecting on an important milestone in the Trust Deed Scotland® journey and why bringing our debt solutions in-house in 2016 helped shape the service we provide today.
Why 2016 Was Such an Important Milestone
In 2016, we brought our debt solutions in-house through Harper McDermott.
That decision was made so we could deliver the best possible customer journey from start to finish.
For customers, debt advice is not just about finding out whether a Protected Trust Deed, the Debt Arrangement Scheme or another Scottish debt solution may be available. It is about feeling listened to, understanding your options clearly, and knowing that the people supporting you genuinely care about the outcome.
By bringing our debt solutions in-house, we were able to take greater control of the full customer experience.
That meant customers could receive advice, support and guidance from a team focused on one thing: helping people across Scotland find the right route forward for their individual circumstances.
Putting Customers First From Start to Finish
Since then, our focus has remained the same: putting customers first.
Every customer has a different story. Some people come to us after months or even years of trying to keep up with payments on their own. Others reach out after a change in circumstances, such as reduced income, illness, relationship breakdown, rising living costs or unexpected bills.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to problem debt.
That is why tailored debt advice matters.
Our role is to help people understand the options available to them in Scotland and make an informed decision about what may be right for their circumstances. That can include formal debt solutions such as a Protected Trust Deed or the Debt Arrangement Scheme, as well as alternative options depending on affordability, income, assets and personal needs.
Just as importantly, we want people to feel able to ask for help without fear of being judged.
Debt can happen to anyone. Asking for support is not a failure. In many cases, it is the first positive step towards taking back control.
Scotland’s Most Trusted Debt Solutions Provider
Today, we are proud to be recognised as Scotland’s most trusted debt solutions provider.
That trust has not been built overnight. It has been built through thousands of customer conversations, years of experience, and a continued commitment to doing the right thing for the people who come to us for help.
We are also proud to have received more 5-star Trustpilot reviews than all other Scottish Debt Solution Providers combined.
While that number means a great deal to us, what matters most is what those reviews represent.
Behind every review is someone who took the step to ask for help. Someone who may have felt worried, embarrassed or unsure about what would happen next. Someone who needed clear advice, reassurance and practical support.
Again and again, customers tell us that they felt listened to, that things were explained clearly, and that speaking to an adviser helped ease the pressure they had been carrying.
Some describe feeling as though a weight had been lifted. Others mention being put at ease, being treated with kindness, or finally understanding their options after feeling stuck for a long time.
Those words mean everything to us, because they show the real impact that compassionate, professional debt advice can have.
The Importance of Being Employee-Owned
Trust Deed Scotland® is an employee-owned business.
For us, that matters.
Employee ownership means our team is personally invested in the service we provide and the outcomes we help customers achieve. It helps ensure that customers’ needs remain at the centre of our decisions, our processes and our culture.
When someone contacts Trust Deed Scotland®, they are not just speaking to a company. They are speaking to people who care about giving the right advice, explaining things properly, and supporting customers throughout their journey.
That approach is reflected in the reviews customers leave, the recommendations they make, and the trust they continue to place in us.
Helping Break the Stigma Around Debt
One of the biggest barriers to getting debt help is often not the debt itself. It is the shame, worry or fear that surrounds it.
Many people delay asking for support because they feel embarrassed, believe they should be able to deal with the problem alone, or worry about what others might think.
We want to help change that.
Problem debt is more common than many people realise. It can be caused by circumstances outside someone’s control, and it can quickly become harder to manage without the right support.
The sooner someone asks for help, the sooner they can understand their options.
That does not mean every debt solution will be suitable for everyone. It does mean that having a confidential conversation with an experienced adviser can help people make sense of their situation and find out what support may be available.
No judgement. No pressure. Just tailored debt advice based on individual circumstances.
Thank You to Our Customers and Our Team
As we reflect on this milestone, we want to say thank you.
Thank you to every customer who has trusted us to help them during a difficult time.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review, share their experience, or recommend Trust Deed Scotland® to someone else.
And thank you to our team, whose care, professionalism and commitment have helped make Trust Deed Scotland® the trusted name it is today.
From our beginnings in 2009 to bringing debt solutions in-house in 2016, and through every milestone since, our purpose has remained the same: helping people across Scotland deal with unaffordable debt with clarity, compassion and confidence.
We are proud of how far we have come.
More importantly, we are proud to continue helping people across Scotland with their unaffordable debt when they need us most.
Need Debt Advice in Scotland?
If you are struggling with unaffordable debt, you are not alone.
Trust Deed Scotland® can help you understand your options and find out whether a Scottish debt solution may be suitable for your circumstances.
You can speak to our team in confidence and receive tailored debt advice without judgement.