Weetabix Group Pension Scheme (PO-7618)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Mr D’s complaint and no further action is required by the Trustee and Weetabix, the company.

My reasons for reaching this decision are explained in more detail below.

Complaint summary

Mr D’s complaint against the Trustee and Weetabix is that Mr E , the Scheme’s Member Nominated Trustee, (MNT), for the period 2013-14, acted in breach of his duty as a trustee when the Scheme proposed changes to pension contribution levels in April 2013, to active members. He says that Mr E  had a conflict of interest because he was responsible for negotiating a pay settlement for Weetabix employees in 2014 which negated the benefit of electing to make 12% pension contributions.

Mr D says that due to the 2014 pay settlement he now pays an additional £1,500 per year into his pension for no additional benefit. He therefore wants his Scheme pension to be returned to its position prior to the 2014 pay settlement and the 2014 pay settlement to be overturned.