The THPT Members Association
is for pensioners and deferred pensioners of the Trafalgar House Pension Trust (THPT).
Click here for our latest Newsflash (30 September '09).
How was the Association formed?
It was founded in 1996 by Alan Ford and Peter Coles when the Trafalgar House group was acquired by the Norwegian company, Kvaerner. They foresaw that corporate changes to Trafalgar could affect the pension rights of members of the Trafalgar House defined benefit pension schemes. They were right.
What is the aim of the Association?
To keep the Association’s members informed on matters which are relevant to the security of the pension rights due from the THPT to them and their dependants.
To use the talents of the members to promote those interests.
How does the Association serve its members?
Normally by post mailed circulars on relevant topics, and sometimes by emails to sections of the membership. Members are encouraged to keep in touch, ask questions on specific points, and generally use the network provided by the Association in the interests of members. When necessary, members are encouraged to contact the Trustee of the THPT, The Pensions Regulator, or The Pensions Advisory Service, as appropriate, with their queries and concerns. The Association generated wide press coverage of the sale by Kvaerner of its UK companies for £1 in 2005 and its impact on the THPT. In future, occasional Newsflashes will be posted on this site.
Who runs the Association?
Alan Ford is the Organiser, Peter sadly having died in 2002. Alan is assisted by Mike Pierce, who took on the administration of the Association’s database in 2007. For many years thls was run by Peter’s widow. Alan and Mike are supported by a loosely organised Working Group of former Trafalgar colleagues
Alan was a trustee of the THPT (then called Trafalgar House Group Pension Scheme) for many years and administratively responsible for its operation as a director of the Group Services company. Since retiring in 1989 he has kept in touch with the pensions world, held trusteeships of several pension schemes, and is now a member of the Council of OPA.
Who are the members of the Association?
The current membership on the database is just under 300. It embraces people from all the diverse businesses in the Trafalgar House group before it was acquired by Kvaerner. They are scattered throughout the UK; a small proportion now live abroad. About two thirds were senior or middle managers. Around 85% are currently pensioners or their dependants, 15% are deferreds (who are still employed either in ex-Trafalgar companies or elsewhere). Though this number is small compared with the total membership of the THPT, the members are significant as opinion formers, have informal network contacts with others in the THPT, and are knowledgable in terms of contacts with MPs and media.
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How does the Association meet its running costs?
Alan and Mike give their services free of charge. Expenditure on circulars, attending meetings (eg of OPA), subscription to OPA , etc, is met from a fund held by Brian Coombs (formerly Chief Accountant of Trafalgar), the Treasurer of the Association. Members are asked periodically to pay a levy to top up that fund. The last levy was collected in 2005. No levy is expected in 2008.
How do you join ?
Send Alan or Mike the following information: full name, postal address; say whether a pensioner or deferred; ask to be included in the database. There is no entry fee but new members are expected to pay the next levy.
Contacts
Alan Ford
43 Lanthorne Road
Broadstairs
Kent
CT10 3NA
Tel: 01843 862 754
Email:: fordaff@aol.com
Mike Pierce
Freshfields
14 West Way
Worthing
West Sussex
BN13 3AY
Tel: 07821 151 809
Email: mgp31@btinternet.com
The webpage is made available through the Occupational Pensioners Alliance (OPA). |
