A former head of pensions and senior partner of international firm Eversheds has been announced as the new interim chair of the pensions ombudsman.

Anthony Arter, who has specialised in pensions since 1996 and received a New Year honour last year for his services to the pensions industry and to charity, will be filling the position while a recruitment campaign is carried out.

He replaces the late Caroline Rookes, who had served as chair of the pensions ombudsman since September 2019. She died in October 2023.

Arter said it was with ‘mixed emotions’ that he accepted the role following Rookes’ ‘unexpected, sad and untimely death’.

Arter has had various roles within the pensions industry including chair of the Ombudsman Association, former pensions ombudsman and interim deputy pensions ombudsman and deputy pension protection fund ombudsman.

Anthony Arter

Arter: Steps into role with ‘mixed emotions’

Source: Ombudsman Association

Pensions minister Paul Maynard welcomed Arter to the role, adding: ‘He brings a wealth of experience and I look forward to working with him.’

Dominic Harris, pensions ombudsman, said: ‘I am delighted that Anthony has agreed to fill the void left by Caroline’s sad death, until such time as a permanent chair is appointed. It is important that the organisation has stability, and it is an excellent idea to appoint someone with Anthony’s knowledge and experience of TPO to support us through this period. I am looking forward to continuing our good working relationship.’

As interim chair, Arter is entitled to an annual pay of £24,000 based on a minimum time commitment of 36 days a year.