Pensions Ombudsman Anthony Arter and Deputy High Court Judge Margaret Obi have been appointed to The Pensions Regulator’s (TPR) Determinations Panel.
The Panel is responsible for making formal decisions relating to cases where TPR seeks to use certain powers.
TPR chair Sarah Smart said: “I am delighted that Anthony and Margaret are joining our Determinations Panel. As we focus on putting the saver at the heart of our activities, Anthony’s extensive experience of ruling on cases that affect individuals will help inform our approach. And Margaret’s extensive legal experience will be invaluable in focussing how the Panel approaches, and discusses, cases.
“Sarah Chambers has also been reappointed to the Panel to serve another a second four-year term. I would like to thank Sarah for her contribution during her first term.”
TPR’s Determinations Panel’s chair, Antony Townsend said: “I am delighted to welcome two such exceptional new members to our Panel as the economic climate continues to present challenges to the pensions industry. It is our role to ensure TPR continues to use its new and existing powers wisely and proportionately. I am looking forward to working with Anthony and Margaret, as well as the existing members of our panel, as we review and rule on future cases.”
The appointments were made following full and open processes. To encourage a diverse range of applications, the recruitment campaign included a webinar for prospective candidates, which was attended by forty people. In total, almost 100 applications were received.
Notes to editors
- The Determinations Panel operates separately from other parts of the organisation, including the case teams, and is not involved in investigating cases.
- The Chair of the Determinations Panel reports to the Chair of TPR.
- All Panel appointments have a four-year term. Any reappointment for a second term must be decided by open competition.
- Anthony Arter is the Pensions Ombudsman and Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman. He was appointed in May 2015 and his tenure comes to an end in January 2023. Anthony is a solicitor who has specialised in pensions since 1996. He was Eversheds LLP’s Head of Pensions from 2005 until 2013 and their London Senior Partner 2009 until 2014. May 2019 until September 2021, Anthony was Chair of the Ombudsman Association for the UK, Ireland and overseas territories. Until 2015 Anthony was an independent member of the Pensions Management Institute Committee overseeing their Accredited Adviser Programme. He has also been an independent trustee for many years and in December 2018, Anthony was appointed as a pro bono independent Trustee Director of the Action for Children Pension Fund.
- Margaret Obi is a solicitor and former partner in a leading criminal defence practice. In 2014 she left private practice to become an independent legal consultant. Her work includes advising other lawyers in relation to investigations undertaken by the Serious Fraud Office and the National Crime Agency. She also advises international legal teams defending allegations of war crimes in the International Criminal Court and advising on disputes between states in the International Court of Justice. She is an independent Legal Assessor and Legally Qualified Chair for various statutory bodies. She is currently a member of the Law Society’s Women Lawyers Division with a special interest in mentoring. She is also a trustee/director of Appeal, a charity and law practice dedicated to fighting miscarriages of justice and advocating for reform of the criminal justice system. Margaret was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2018.
- Images of Anthony and Margaret are available from TPR’s press office.
- Anthony and Margaret took up their positions with effect from 22 September 2022.
- The Pensions Regulator is the regulator of work-based pension schemes in the UK. Our statutory objectives are: to protect members’ benefits; to reduce the risk of calls on the Pension Protection Fund (PPF); to promote, and to improve understanding of, the good administration of work-based pension schemes; to maximise employer compliance with automatic enrolment duties; and to minimise any adverse impact on the sustainable growth of an employer (in relation to the exercise of the regulator’s functions under Part 3 of the Pensions Act 2004 only).
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