09 October 2008 – Jeannie Drake announced as PADA Acting Chair
Jeannie Drake was today confirmed as the Acting Chair of the Personal Account Delivery Authority following Paul Myners’ resignation to take up a role with the Government.
Secretary of State, James Purnell, made the announcement as he addressed the National Association of Pension Funds in Glasgow, confirming that she would hold the position until a replacement chair was appointed.
Welcoming her to the role, James Purnell said:
“I am delighted to announce that Jeannie Drake has agreed to be Acting Chair ensuring that the important work of the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority can continue.
“She brings a wealth of experience to the role both in public and private pensions, and will continue the great work that Paul Myners started, in helping us to deliver personal accounts, and give millions of people the opportunity to save for their retirement.
“It was important that we were able to appoint an acting chair quickly so as not to lose any of the momentum we have built up over the last year, and I know Jeannie will carry that on over the coming months.”
On accepting the new role, Jeannie Drake said:
“I am very pleased to be appointed Acting Chair of the personal accounts delivery authority. The challenge facing the authority as it moves towards delivery is significant, but millions of people stand to benefit from the successful introduction of personal accounts. I look forward to continuing to work with the Board, and everyone at the delivery authority, to help drive this important agenda forward.”
Chief Executive of PADA, Tim Jones said:
“I am delighted that Jeannie Drake has agreed to be the delivery authority's Acting Chair. She brings a wealth of understanding and continuity to the post."
The department will now begin the process of appointing a new Chair of PADA in line with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice and hope to announce a successor in the New Year.
Notes to Editors
- Jeannie Drake was appointed the Authority’s first Non-executive Director on 17 September 2007. Jeannie has a wealth of public sector experience. She currently serves on the boards of the Pension Protection Fund, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Employment Appeals Tribunal. Between 2002 and 2006, she served as a member of the Pensions Commission and, from 2006-08 she was Chair of the Railway Pensions Commission. She also has experience in the private sector, and is currently a pension scheme trustee for both O2 and Alliance & Leicester plc. Jeannie has held a number of trade union posts, including Deputy General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union and President of the Trades Union Congress. She recently retired from her post as deputy General Secretary of the Communications Workers Union, which she had held since 1995, where she specialised in IT and telecommunications.
Media enquiries: Stewart Todd/Alison Clark/John McNally 020 3267 5113/5120/5191
Press office: 020 7238 0866
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk
