The candidate for pensions ombudsman has said he wants to make it easier and more straightforward for people to complain to him.
Anthony Arter, who has been a specialist pensions lawyer for 20 years, appeared before the Work and pensions select committee on 11 February for a pre-appointment hearing.
The former partner with Eversheds was nominated for the post of ombudsman by Steve Webb, the pensions minister.
He is also an independent member of the board of the Pensions Management Institute, a post he will give up if he is given the role of ombudsman.
Addressing the committee, Mr Arter said he was expecting to see an increase in the number of complaints over the next few years.
He said: “There will be a delay of a year or so but there will be more and more complaints in terms of the changes.
“I think the type of complaint will change and the type of complainant will change and I think the process for complaining may need more work.
“I think it should be a much more simplified approach and much more straightforward.”
Mr Arter was at Eversheds until he retired in April 2014 and has advised the trustees and sponsors of several major pension schemes including British Airways.
Mr Arter, who will replace Tony King, is also chairman of the pension fund of FMC Chemicals, a position he said he intends to retain until the scheme is wound up this year.
When asked whether he had an opinion about the pension reforms, Mr Arter said: “There is constant change to pensions and I am sure it will continue – this year is no exception.
“Each government grapples with this. By and large most parties try and come to the right conclusions but it is a very difficult area to deal with.”
Before becoming a lawyer, Mr Arter was a police officer with the Metropolitan Police, for 25 years, investigating organised crime.
He left the police to study law at Jesus College, Cambridge, graduating in 1988.
The committee approved Mr Arter’s appointment as pensions ombudsman and Pension Protection Fund ombudsman.
Mr Webb said: “Mr Arter brings with him considerable knowledge of pensions, legal matters and a wealth and richness of experience in community relationships.”
Adviser view
Philip Perry, director of Cheshire-based Ark Financial Planning, said: “I think they are making it too easy to complain.
“There are always going to be complaints about pensions.”
