TPAS Appoints Five New Fellows

The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) announced today (Monday) that five volunteer advisers have been made Fellows of TPAS in recognition of their outstanding service over a number of years.

The new Fellows are Tony Copp, Terry Noton, John Freer, Dennis Strudwick and Neville McKay.

TPAS also announced that Mike Cabbett had been award the title of 'Adviser of the Year' 2009/2010.  Mike handled over 30 cases during the year.

TPAS Chairman, Partha Dasgupta said:

"Last year volunteers contributed over 52,000 hours to supporting TPAS, a truly remarkable effort, especially given the competing pressures on time these days.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of our volunteer advisers, now numbering over 450, for their contribution and congratulate our new Fellows and Adviser of the Year".

Notes for Editors

1. The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) is an independent organisation, operating at arm's length from DWP.   It provides independent, non-regulated, one-stop information and guidance to members of the public on pensions matters.  TPAS has three core services that it offers to individuals free of charge: information and guidance, dispute resolution and visits to the workplace to provide information on retirement planning.
2. TPAS provides a national pensions helpline 0845 601 2923 which is open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. The dedicated pensions helpline for women is contactable during the same hours on 0845 600 0806.  In 2009/10 TPAS received 74,717 helpline calls, a record 16,391 written enquiries and almost 1.3 million people visited its website at www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk  and handled 7,769 pension disputes.
3. The service is provided by a nationwide network of volunteers and augmented by technical and administrative staff based in London.  TPAS is funded by grant-in-aid from DWP which is recovered by a general levy on pension schemes. 
4. Mike Cabbett Adviser of the Year - In 2009, Mike handled over 30 cases, a truly fantastic effort.  There were many times this year when we have asked our advisers if they could accept extra cases and Mike has always responded positively.  Mike's approach is always even-handed and his work is at all times of a high standard.  Mike's pension career started at Legal & General, before joining Noble Lowndes (now Mercer).  He is an Associate of the Pensions Management Institute and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Insurance.  When not working on TPAS cases, Mike enjoys archaeology and cycling.
5. Tony Copp - Joined TPAS in 1997, is now retired but was a senior actuary at Prudential. Tony has a scheme actuary certificate from the Institute of Actuaries.
6. Terry Noton - Joined TPAS in 1996 and has recently become the Regional Organiser for the Midlands.  I believe Terry used to work for BMW pensions and may have recently retired.
7. John Freer - Joined TPAS in 1997.  He works for AWD Chase de Vere.  John is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute.
8. Dennis Strudwick - Joined TPAS in 1992.  He is an Associate of the Pensions Management Institute.  Now retired, Dennis was Life and Pensions Manager at Shephard Herriott Ltd.
9. Neville McKay - Joined TPAS in 1995.  Neville is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries. He has previously been a partner at the firm Coopers and Lybrand, now PricewaterhouseCoopers and is now with Towers Watson (formerly Watson Wyatt).