Pension Protection Fund (PPF) chair Kate Jones and People’s Partnership chief executive Patrick Heath-Lay have been awarded CBEs for services to the pensions sector in the King’s Birthday Honours list, announced this weekend.
Jones will step down as chair of the defined benefit lifeboat fund at the end of this month after five years in the role, and 10 years on the board. She has overseen the PPF’s work on reducing its regular levy to zero, which has involved lobbying for legislative change.
Jones was awarded the CBE for services to pensions and financial education, reflecting her role as the first chair of trustees of education charity Money Ready.
In a statement, the PPF said: “Kate’s strong sense of public purpose and commitment to driving change in the pensions sector has seen the PPF, working closely with government, deliver better outcomes for members, who encounter us at times of great financial uncertainty, while also reducing financial pressures on sponsoring employers through the reduction in the PPF levy.
“Throughout her 10 years on our board, the last five as chair, Kate’s commitment to sustainable growth and willingness to share her experience and learn from best practice have helped shape the strategic direction of the organisation, with a constant drive to do more for those who rely on us while tackling fresh challenges.”
Patrick Heath-Lay has led the People’s Partnership, provider of the People’s Pension master trust, since 2012, having joined its predecessor organisation, B&CE, in 1985. He was awarded the CBE for services to the pensions industry.
Heath-Lay said: “It’s really humbling to be recognised in this way and is not something I ever expected to happen when I set out in the world of work as a teenager straight from school more than 40 years ago.
“It’s an honour to lead such a wonderful, purpose-driven organisation, making a real difference to pension saving in the UK and which has allowed me to develop and grow as a person.
“This recognition is a wonderful surprise and would not have been possible without my family, friends and colleagues who have supported me throughout my career at a company that has given me so much. I have been lucky enough to be able to work with some of the most talented and driven people who share a passion for the purpose of our organisation and who have helped establish People’s Pension as a major player in the pensions industry. It’s an organisation that has made a genuine difference to the futures of millions of hardworking people across the UK.
“I am very grateful for everything they have given to People’s Partnership in making the organisation what it is today.”
Elsewhere in the King’s Birthday Honours list, Alastair King, former Lord Mayor of the City of London, was knighted for services to pension reform, as well as promoting international business relations and charity service.
Sir Alastair played a leading role in work on the Mansion House Accord, and also led on the Employer Pension Pledge, designed to encourage firms to prioritise net returns when selecting or reviewing defined contribution pension providers. It also encourages employers to demand greater transparency from schemes on how they invest, including in private markets.
Several senior staff within the Department for Work and Pensions have received CBEs for public service, including Martyn Brown, director of retirement services.
