Independent Chair Of The Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme Appointed
Source: Department for Business, Innovation and SkillsPublished Saturday, January 28, 2012 - 07:54
Alan Pickering CBE has been appointed the independent chair of the Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme (RMSPS) by Postal Affairs Minister Edward Davey.
Mr Pickering is Chairman of BESTrustees, and Former Chairman of the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) and European Federation for Retirement Provision (EFRP).
His appointment is a key step towards the transfer of Royal Mail’s historic pension liabilities from Royal Mail to Government. Subject to the European Commission’s approval of state aid, the RMSPS – a new public sector pension scheme – will assume the bulk of Royal Mail’s historic pension liabilities. Alan Pickering will chair the governance group that will monitor the RMSPS.
Mr Pickering will take up his post before the RMSPS is formally constituted on 1 April 2011. He will be supported by a governance group comprising representatives of the trade unions and members of the pension scheme, Royal Mail, Post Office Limited and Government.
Postal Affairs Minister Edward Davey said:
“I am pleased that Alan has agreed to become the independent chair of the Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme governance group. He is an expert on pensions and will offer strong leadership to the governance group.
“I look forward to working with him, and the governance group, as they work for the interests of the members of the new Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme and ensuring that they receive a seamless service.”
Alan Pickering CBE said:
"Having grown up in York where many postal workers and their families were my friends, it is an honour to have the opportunity to play my part in ensuring that those who have been involved with this wonderful service enjoy the pension peace of mind that they deserve.
“I know that all of the stakeholders have been working very hard to provide a seamless transition from the Royal Mail Pension Plan to the new government-backed scheme, the Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme (RMSPS).
“Representatives of these stakeholders will be my colleagues on the RMSPS governance group, and I look forward to being a member of their team.”
