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18 May 2007 - Appointment of the Pensions Ombudsman and Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman

The DWP has announced the appointment of Tony King as the new Pensions Ombudsman and Pensions Protection Fund Ombudsman from September 1, 2007.

Mr King is currently Lead Ombudsman responsible for pensions and securities at the Financial Ombudsman Service.

David Laverick, the current Pensions Ombudsman and Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman, completes his final term of office on August 31, 2007.

Minister for Pensions Reform James Purnell said:

“I am very pleased to appoint Tony King as the new Pensions Ombudsman and Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman. Mr King will bring considerable experience and expertise.

"I would also like to thank David Laverick for the important work he has done in this role for the last six years."

Notes to editors

  1. Tony King has been Lead Ombudsman, Pensions and Securities, with the Financial Ombudsman Service since February 2005. He joined the Financial Ombudsman Service in 2003 after nine years as Casework Manager for the Pensions Ombudsman. His earlier background was in pensions consultancy and administration.
  2. The Pensions Ombudsman and Pensions Protection Fund Ombudsman are public appointments made by the Secretary of State. They follow an open competition regulated by The Office for the Commissioner of Public Appointments.
  3. The Pensions Ombudsman provides a low cost and accessible alternative to the Courts for the resolution of pensions complaints relating to the way occupational and personal pension schemes are run. Its services are provided free of charge. The Pensions Ombudsman is an independent commissioner. His determinations are final and binding on all parties subject only to appeal in the High Court on a point of law.
  4. The Pensions Act 2004 created the post of Pensions Protection Fund Ombudsman. The Pensions Protection Fund Ombudsman also has authority to investigate and determine appeals against decisions of the Financial Assistance Scheme. The present Pensions Ombudsman was appointed to carry out these additional roles from their inception.

    5.  

    Review of Pensions Institutions

  5. Paul Thornton, a past President of the Institute of Actuaries, has conducted an independent review of the functions of pensions institutions on behalf of the Government.
  6. The purpose of the Review has been to recommend the most effective arrangement of institutional functions going forward in light of existing policies, pension reform and wider changes, including development of Personal Accounts, the Thoresen Review and market changes.
  7. The Review’s remit has covered nine bodies including the Pension Protection Fund, the Pensions Regulator, the Financial Services Authority in its pensions role, the Pensions Ombudsman, the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Pensions Advisory Service.
  8. The Government will provide its response to the Review in due course. If it decides to make changes to Ombudsman services following the Review this will not remove the need for appointment of a new Pensions Ombudsman and Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman from September 1.

 

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