About Your Scheme

The Trustees

The Committee of Management
The Role of the Trustees
Trustees appointed by the Committee
Trustees elected as Pensioner Representatives by members
Sub-committees of the Trustee

The Committee of Management

The Scheme operates as a pension trust and the Scheme’s Trustee is responsible for its management. The Trustee is Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees Limited (TMPSL). The ten directors of TMPSL form the Scheme’s Committee of Management. The Government acts as Guarantor to the Scheme. The Committee of Management appoints five members of the Committee and five are Pensioner Representatives elected by Scheme members from five geographical constituencies.

From 2008, on a phased basis, the terms of office for Pensioner Representative Trustees move towards an increased term of five years.

The Committee selects its own Chairman and the Chairmen of its sub-committees, although the appointment of the Scheme Chairman and the Chairman of the Investment Sub-committee requires the approval of the Guarantor.

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The Role of the Trustees

The members of the Committee of Management are usually referred to as “the Trustees”. Regardless of whether Trustees are appointed by the Committee of Management or elected, each of them has a duty to consider the interests of all members and beneficiaries. The Trustee's duty is to act in the best interests of beneficiary and strike a fair balance between the interests of the different classes of beneficiary.

The Trustees are responsible for the financial management of the Scheme, including investing the Scheme’s monies, and for ensuring that benefits are paid in accordance with the Rules of the Scheme. Their duties and powers are set out in the Scheme and Rules. The Scheme and Rules were substantially amended in 1994 to provide for new management arrangements, which were put in place following the privatisation of British Coal. These new arrangements took effect from 31 October 1994 when the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly Trade and Industry) took over responsibility from British Coal as Guarantor to the Scheme.

Trustees appointed by the Committee of Management


Nigel Stapleton is Chairman of the Postal Services Commission, the independent regulator of UK postal services and a director of the London Stock Exchange. His previous posts included that of Chief Financial Officer and Co-Chairman of Reed Elsevier, the publishing and information company.

Chris Cheetham is currently Global Chief Investment Officer, HSBC Global Asset Management, having previously held a number of leadership positions within the HSBC asset management businesses. His earlier wide ranging senior level investment experience included the role of CEO of AXA Investment Managers UK and Director of Investment Strategy Research at Prudential Portfolios Management. Chris is Chairman of the Scheme’s Investment Sub-committee.	Olivia Dickson has a wide range of experience at a senior level in a number of positions, including the Pensions Regulator’s Determinations Panel and the Financial Services Authority. Olivia has substantial risk management knowledge and experience and currently serves on other boards and Chairs a Risk and Compliance Sub-committee. She is Chairman of the Scheme’s Risk and Assurance Subcommittee.

Vivien Cockerill is a qualified solicitor and Head of Pensions Strategy and former pensions partner at Wragge and Co. She was previously an elected member of the main committee of the Association of Pensions Lawyers, a TPAS board member and Chair of the West Midlands NAPF Group. She is a member of the Scheme's Administration and Benefits Sub-committee.	Michael Woodmore was formerly Group Services Director of RHM and Chairman of the RHM Pension Scheme and its Investment Committee. He now holds a number of trustee appointments and is a Non-Executive Director of a Housing Association. He is Chairman of the Scheme’s Administration and Benefits Sub-Committee and a member of the Nomination Group and the Valuation Working Group.

The Pensioner Representative Trustees


Bobby Clelland is the Pensioner Representative Trustee for Scotland, North West England and North Wales. Bobby is an active member of the NUM, holding various positions over the years. He is currently a representative for the medical appeals tribunal and an elected member of the Fife Council for West Fife and Costal Villages.	Allen Young is the Pensioner Representative Trustee for North East England and Overseas. Allen's previous coal industry experience includes positions as a Lodge Secretary and Member of the NUM’s Durham Area and North East Area Executive Committee. Allen is currently an Independent Financial Adviser regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Allen is a member of the Scheme’s Administration and Benefits Sub-Committee.

John Stones is the Pensioner Representative Trustee for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. He was a member of the Yorkshire Area and National NUM Executive Committees and a member of the MPS during his employment in the industry and is now one of the Scheme’s 190,000 pensioners. John is a member of the Scheme’s Discretions and Appeals Sub-Committee, the Administration and Benefits Sub-Committee and an alternate member of the Investment Sub-committee.	Joe Wills is the Pensioner Representative Trustee for Central and Southern England and South Wales. He has worked in the industry since leaving school, was a member of the NUM National Executive, and is presently General Secretary for the NUM Midlands Area. Joe is a member of the Scheme’s Investment Sub-Committee and the Nomination Group.

Alan Gascoyne is the Pensioner Representative Trustee for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. He is president of the NUM Derbyshire Area, was a member of the MPS during his employment in the industry and is now one of the Scheme's 190,000 pensioners. Alan is a member of the Scheme's Discretions and Appeals Sub-Committee, the Valuation Working Group and the Nomination Group .

Sub-committees of the Trustee

The Committee of Management is responsible for the overall management of the Scheme; it has a regular quarterly meeting and usually meets on other occasions throughout the year. To help perform its duties and to streamline decision making, the Committee has established and delegated certain of its powers to a number of Sub-committees. Sub-committees have an equal number of elected trustees appointed by the Committee of Management.

The principal Sub-committees are as follows:

The Administration and Benefits Sub-committee, which deals with the administration of the Scheme and any benefit issues that may arise. Monitoring the performance of the administrator is a key aspect of their duties. Present members are Mr Woodmore, (Chairman), Miss Cockerill, Mr Young and Mr Stones.
The Investment Sub-committee monitors the implementation of the Scheme's investment strategy by its investment managers, monitors the performance of each investment manager and considers any investment issues that may arise. Present members are Mrs Mayall (Chairman), Mr Bolton, Mr Stones (as alternate member) and Mr Wills. Following Mr Scott’s retirement, there is a current vacancy.
The Discretions and Appeals Sub-committee, which has powers to award certain discretionary benefits. This Sub-committee also hears appeals made at the Second Stage of the Scheme's internal dispute resolution procedure. Present members are Mrs Mayall, Mr Gascoyne and Mr Stones. Following Mr Scott’s retirement, there is a current vacancy."