2 The Pensions Ombudsman and the Pension
Protection Fund Ombudsman
6. The Pensions Ombudsman investigates complaints
regarding occupational and personal pension schemes and its decisions
are final, binding and enforceable in court. The Pension Protection
Fund Ombudsman handles complaints and "reviewable matters"
regarding the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) and appeals against
decisions of the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS). The combined
office is a "Tribunal Non Departmental Public Body"
funded through grant-in-aid from DWP. It received £3.2 million
in funding in 2013/14.[6]
7. The Pensions Ombudsman appointment is made under
Section 145 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 and the Pension Protection
Fund Ombudsman under Section 209 of the Pensions Act 2004.[7]
It is a full time role and the advertised remuneration is £130,875.[8]
8. The key responsibilities of the post are set out
as follows:
· Investigating
and determining pensions complaints;
· Investigating
and determining disputes concerning the PPF;
· Hearing appeals
against decisions made by the FAS manager;
· Maintaining
a high standard of decision making both in terms of personal decisions
and in cases resolved by staff;
· Setting the
strategic direction for the organisation, taking responsibility
for managing staff and the organisation's performance, ensuring
it delivers its objectives in a cost effective, efficient way;
· Building constructive
and effective relationships with external and internal stakeholders
including DWP and its Ministers; and
· As Accounting
Officer, being responsible for regularity of the public finances
for which he or she is accountable and their effective use.
9. The Framework document between the Pensions Ombudsman
and Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman and the DWP sets out the
responsibilities in further detail.[9]
The essential criteria for applicants are set out in the extract
from the DWP candidate information pack at Appendix 2 to this
report. These include:
· Experience
of: dispute resolution or adjudication; working at a senior level
in the public or private sector; and making decisions requiring
the analysis of complex issues with possibly significant legal
and financial consequences;
· Excellent stakeholder
management and communication skills, in particular the ability
to engage and build effective relationships quickly with a wide
range of stakeholders;
· Strong leadership
capability with a clear sense of direction and the ability to
work co-operatively with others.
10. On 3 February 2015 the Minister informed us that
Anthony Arter was the Secretary of State's preferred candidate
to replace Mr King as Pensions Ombudsman and Pension Protection
Fund Ombudsman. Mr Arter's CV and the letter covering his application
for the posts are set out in Appendix 1 to this report.
6 Pensions Ombudsman and Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman,
Corporate and business plan: April 2014-March 2017, 28 May 2014,
and Annual Report and Accounts 2013/14, 10 July 2014 Back
7
Pension Schemes Act 1993, Section 145, Pensions Act 2004, Section 209 Back
8
DWP/Pensions Ombudsman Service, Pensions Ombudsman and Pension
Protection Fund Ombudsman Candidate Pack, November 2014 [unpublished].
See also The Telegraph Jobs, 'Pensions Ombudsman' accessed 3 February
2015 Back
9
DWP and PPFO, Framework document between the Pensions Ombudsman and Pension Protection Ombudsman and the Department for Work and Pensions,
1 August 2014 Back
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