You told us you’re not sure who your Pension Committee (PC) reps are and what they do.
There are 7 member representatives that make up exactly half of the Pensions Committee – the other half being EA Board members or Executive Managers from the EA or NRW.
Of these, 5 represent the views of active members (those who currently pay into the scheme) and 2 represent deferred and retired members. We also have a shadow active member representative who takes parts in pension meetings and events and helps provide extra resilience.
All member representatives are chosen through an open recruitment process. Along with ensuring that the scheme is run in the members’ best long-term interest, they also ensure that members’ views are fed in. There are many regulations surrounding pensions, so each member representative has their own training plan to ensure that the fund remains well managed.
Please feel free to contact any of your member reps if you have any issues you’d like to raise.
You can contact the member representatives by emailing EAPF@environment-agency.gov.uk
Alternatively, if you are an employee of the Environment Agency, please use the normal internal channels to contact them directly.
Your active member reps
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Colin Chiverton
I’ve been a member of the Committee since 2013. My role at the Environment Agency is an Area Environment Manager in Thames Area. I’ve been an active member of the LGPS for 28 years. I have attended many training events on the LGPS over the years, and I’ve also completed the Pensions Regulator’s Public Service training.
I’ve developed my knowledge on pension fund investment and management. I am the Pensions Representative of Prospect Union’s Environment Agency Branch.
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Danielle Ashton
I’ve been a member of the LGPS for over 20 years and have been a contributing member representative of the committee since 2017 following open recruitment. I work in the Research team in E&B as a science manager leading a team who work on land, groundwater, hydromorphology and lake ecology, amongst other things!
Since joining the committee I’ve undertaken various training courses and attended conferences to develop my knowledge on pension management and investment. On behalf of the Pension Committee I attended the company AGM of Compass Group – the largest food service company in the world; I asked the board about their approach to climate change. I’m keen to hear member issues and questions so I can raise them at meetings and better understand what our members want to know about their pension and how it is managed.
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Ian Brindley
I’ve been a member of the local government scheme since 1987, and a member of the Committee since 2014. My role at the Environment Agency is Senior Advisor in Environment and Business. Since being on the committee, I’ve attended training in many areas of pensions and investment, completing courses provided by the Environment Agency, the Local Government Association, Unison and other third party providers.
I’m very active in the responsible investment arena, engaging with companies to drive improvements in their environmental, societal, governance and financial performance. I’ve been treasurer of my local Unison branch since 1997.
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Will Lidbetter
I’ve been an active member of the Fund since 1992, and an active member nominee since July 2016. I inherited an interest in personal finance and numbers from my Mother, who excelled in our family’s finances, always knew her way around pensions, investments and mortgages, and loved keeping the data she needed to keep track of things. My pensions work started from a desire to represent Unison members in the best way I could, already being a local steward, although I represent the interests of all members on the Pension Committee, not just Unison ones.
My day job focuses on helping the organisation make sure that our data is fit for purpose, allows us to do all we need to in our work today, and is ready for whatever challenges and opportunities the future may hold. I bring this thinking into my Pensions work too. Away from work it’s a combination of teenagers, singing and acting.
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Veronica James
I was appointed to the Pensions Committee as a member representative in May 2019. I’ve been a member of the LGPS since 2012 and I’m also a deferred member of LGPS from a previous employment. I’m a Planning Specialist in Thames Area and for the past 5 years I’ve also been the Planning Manager for the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme.
In autumn 2019 I attended a series of 3 LGPS induction training courses run by the Local Government Association. These courses really helped to clarify my understanding of my role on the Pensions Committee and the governance framework, plus I learnt more about investments, pensions and valuations. My role on the Pensions Committee is very different to other aspects of my work so I’m continually learning more about pensions, developing my knowledge and understanding, in order to fulfill my role to represent members.
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Your deferred member rep
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Hywel Tudor
I joined the EAPF Pensions Committee and Pension Board in May 2015, initially as a deferred pensioner member, subsequently becoming a pensioner member. Before joining the EAPF PC, I was a Pension Trustee on the Board of the Arts Council Retirement Plan, a defined benefit scheme, for around 15 years. Over the years, I've maintained my knowledge of the ever changing pension environment by attending various pension training events, and through active participation at Trustee meetings and activities. I qualified as an accountant (FCMA) many years ago and subsequently gained senior level experience in the public, private and charity sectors. I’d previously worked for the NRA and the Environment Agency in various finance and corporate service roles in Head Office and in Wales.
Just prior to retiring, I was Director of Finance & Resources for the Arts Council of Wales, where I had responsibility for the majority of the corporate functions. I now live close to Cardiff and when I'm not involved in pension matters, enjoy my retirement spending time with my three young grandchildren, our spaniel, and doing lots of things I didn't have time for when I was working.
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Your pensioner member rep
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Peter Smith
I am a solicitor (retired) and my appointments included CEO of Malvern Council and Regional Solicitor to the Severn Trent Water Authority. In 1980 I became an Officer in The Salvation Army (minister of religion) where for 20 years I was International Legal Advisor and advised The Salvation Army worldwide on a very wide range of legal issues until retirement.
Before retirement I served as a Director/Trustee of SATCO, SAITCO and SAHA. For 19 years I was a director/Chairman of Healthy Investment Friendly Society. I am currently on the Boards of Bethany Kids and Guideposts.
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