Beginning on 1 January, this will be for an interim period during which a recruitment campaign will be conducted to fill the position permanently.
Minister for Pensions Paul Maynard said:
I am pleased to welcome Anthony Arter CBE as the Interim Chair of TPO. He brings a wealth of experience and I look forward to working with him.
Following the tragic loss of Caroline Rookes, I would also like to pay tribute to the steadfast leadership and dedication she provided during her time in the role.
Dominic Harris, Pensions Ombudsman, said:
I am delighted that Anthony has agreed to fill the void left by Caroline's sad death, until such time as a permanent Chair is appointed. It is important that the organisation has stability, and it is an excellent idea to appoint someone with Anthony's knowledge and experience of TPO to support us through this period. I am looking forward to continuing our good working relationship.
Anthony Arter CBE said:
It is with mixed emotions that I have accepted the role of TPO's interim Chair following the unexpected, sad and untimely death of Caroline Rookes.
However, it is an honour to have been appointed and I look forward to working with my fellow Non-Executive Directors supporting the Pensions Ombudsman Dominic Harris and his colleagues, in order to meet the organisation's strategic objectives.
With a wealth of experience and expertise from his various roles within the pensions industry, including Chair of the Ombudsman Association, former Pensions Ombudsman and interim Deputy Pensions Ombudsman and Deputy Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman, Anthony Arter brings valuable insight to this important role.
Anthony Arter will succeed Caroline Rookes, who sadly passed away earlier this year and had served as Chair of TPO since September 2019.
In his capacity as interim Chair, Anthony Arter is entitled to an annual remuneration of £24,000, based on a minimum time commitment of 36 days per year.
