16 February 2009 – Alan Pickering and Chris Swinson reappointed to pension regulator roles

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell, today announced the reappointment of Alan Pickering and Chris Swinson as non-executive directors of the Pensions Regulator.

Both Mr Pickering and Mr Swinson have already served four years as inaugural non-executive directors of the Pensions Regulator.

Welcoming the reappointments the Pensions Regulator Chairman, David Norgrove, said:

“I am delighted that Alan Pickering and Chris Swinson have been reappointed. They have both played a key role in overseeing the successful development of the Regulator. I look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”

Chris Swinson said:

“I am very pleased to be reappointed. The work of the Pensions Regulator is important, especially given the current economic conditions and the Government’s pension reforms.”

Alan Pickering said:

“To be reappointed at a time of such economic turbulence is an honour and a challenge. I will cherish the former and do my utmost to respond to the latter.”

The Pensions Regulator was established under the Pensions Act 2004. The Regulator’s role is to protect the benefits of members of work-based pension schemes, to promote good administration of schemes, and to reduce the risk of situations arising which may lead to claims for compensation from the Pension Protection Fund.

Notes to Editors

1. Alan Pickering is a director of BESTrustees and became Chairman on 1 February 2009.  He joined Watson Wyatt in 1992 after twenty years with the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbers Union where he gained considerable experience in many aspects of employee relations, pensions and personal finance.
   • He is Chairman of the Plumbing Industry Pension Scheme, having been closely involved with the development of many other industry-wide schemes.  In 2005 he became a trustee of the Life Academy (Pre-Retirement Association), assuming the charity's chairmanship in November 2006.
   • He was a member of the Occupational Pensions Board from 1991 to1997, serving as its deputy chairman during 1993. 
   • He was chairman of the National Association of Pension Funds from 1999 to 2001. From 2001 to 2004 he served as chairman of the European Federation for Retirement Provision.
   • In 2001 he led a review into the simplification of private pension provision. His report, A Simpler Way to Better Pensions, was published in July 2002.
2. Chris Swinson is Comptroller and Auditor General of Jersey. He was formerly senior partner of BDO Stoy Hayward.
   • He served as a council member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and was president from 1998 to 1999.
   • He currently works as an expert witness in financial cases.
3. Alan and Chris will begin new four year contracts on 8th February 2009. They will be paid £10,612 for the equivalent of 20 days work per year.
4. The appointments have been made in accordance with the Office of Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) code of practice.
5. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Chris Swinson and Alan Pickering engage in no political activity.

 

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