Looking after your pension
What’s on this page:
Looking after your pension
What’s on this page:
Behind the scenes
Over late 2024 and early 2025, we successfully moved the Scheme’s administration from Capita to Lane Clark and Peacock (LCP). This involved careful planning, the secure transfer of member records, and setting up new systems. We’re pleased to say the move went well and members are now supported by a dedicated team with strong experience in pension administration.
Meet Laura
Laura is a core part of LCP’s administration team, working directly with members of the Scheme. We caught up with her to learn more about her role and what the team does behind the scenes to make sure you get a reliable and friendly service.
Laura, can you tell us a little about yourself and your role?
My main role is to oversee the day-to-day administration of the Scheme. I work closely with the team to make sure everything runs smoothly for members.
Outside of work, I love spending time outdoors with my family and dog - especially exploring green spaces and countryside trails all over the UK.
What does a pension scheme administrator do?
We look after the day-to-day running of the pension scheme. This includes making sure members’ details are accurate and benefits are paid at the right time and in line with the rules and the law. Think of us as the behind-the-scenes team that keeps everything running smoothly.
Just as importantly, we’re here to answer your questions. Whether you contact us by phone, email, or post, we want you to feel comfortable getting in touch whenever you need to.
Looking after our members really matters to us. We believe everyone in the Scheme should be treated with the same care and respect we’d expect for our own families. We’re always happy to help, and we are here to support you through your retirement journey. If you have a question or need help, we’d always rather you contact us to check something than worry on your own.
How can members contact the administration team?
There are a number of ways you can get in touch – by phone, email, post, or via the secure messaging service on My Pension. However you contact us, it would help if you could confirm your membership number, so that we can find your information quickly and easily.
What can members do on the Scheme website, without needing to contact the team?
There’s lots you can do on the website through My Pension, which works on computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Using My Pension, you can view and update your personal details and check your benefit information. You can also send a secure message to us and view a record of all correspondence you’ve had with us over My Pension.
Secure messages go straight to the team and are linked to your pension account. You can view your messages any time, giving you full visibility and peace of mind.
If you haven’t started receiving your pension yet, most of you can explore the impact of taking different options at retirement using the My Pension modeller. And, if you are a pensioner, you can access your monthly payslips and P60s.
How do you help to make sure that members’ pension data and personal information stay secure?
Data protection is a key priority, as we wouldn’t want any member data falling into the wrong hands. We have strict procedures in place when handling data. For example, any benefit information issued to you via email is encrypted, and if you call for information, we will ask a series of security questions to make sure we are speaking with the right person.
Key points
- Administration of the Scheme has moved to LCP, a specialist pensions firm.
- Your pension benefits remain secure.
- You can contact LCP by phone, secure message, email, or post.
- My Pension lets you send secure messages, view your pension, update personal details, access payslips, and explore your retirement options.
Your pension: who's looking after it (and how!)
Imagine your pension like a proper Yorkshire stew – slow-cooked, carefully balanced, and made to keep you going for the long haul. You need the right mix of ingredients and a steady hand on the pot. That’s what your Trustee Directors and their advisers do for the Scheme.
Your Trustee Directors
The Scheme is run by a corporate trustee, Northern Foods Trustees Limited, which works a bit like a company board. The Trustee Directors make sure everything is well-managed and focused on protecting your pension. Some are appointed by the Company, and some are chosen by members.
Here's your current team:
- Chris Martin of Independent Trustee Services Limited (Chair)
- John Searle – Company-appointed Trustee Director
- Simon Irons – Company-appointed Trustee Director
- Stewart Imeson – Member-nominated Trustee Director
- Rebecca Kay – Member-nominated Trustee Director
The Scheme's advisers
Every kitchen needs many hands on deck, and that’s where our advisers come in:
Executive team - XPS
The executive team help the Trustee Directors to run the Scheme.
Scheme actuary – Colin High FIA, Aon Solutions UK Limited
The Actuary looks after the numbers. They work out how much money the Scheme needs now and in the future, to make sure pensions can be paid when needed. They’re experts in life expectancy, scheme assets, and predicting future events.
Investment adviser – Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) (from late 2025/early 2026, taking over from Willis Towers Watson)
The investment adviser guides the Trustee Directors on how to invest the Scheme’s money wisely and manage investment risks.
Legal adviser – Linklaters LLP
Legal advisers make sure the Trustee Directors follow the law and help with legal questions about the Scheme.
Administrator – Lane Clark & Peacock LLP (LCP) (From 1 March 2025, taking over from Capita Pension Solutions Limited)
The Scheme administrator keeps all records and makes sure pensions are paid on time. They are also the first point of contact for members.
Together, the Trustee Directors and our advisers form a strong, coordinated team. Each role is different, but our shared goal is simple: to keep your pension safe, secure, and well-managed.
Protecting yourself – cybersecurity and scams
Your Trustee Directors and advisers have strong security in place, and you’re part of the team looking after your pension too.
Pension scams are getting cleverer by the day, and it’s important to stay safe. Cyber security is also an important part of keeping your pension secure. We spoke to Chris Martin, one of our Trustee Directors with a strong interest in online security, to get some simple, practical advice.
What should members know about pension scams?
Chris Martin: Pension scams are still common in the UK, and scammers are getting better at what they do. Their aim is usually to get your personal details or your money. Even if you consider yourself financially savvy, you can be caught out.
What is cyber fraud and how can it affect pensions?
Chris Martin: Cyber fraud is when scammers use phones, emails, or the internet to trick people or steal information.
For example, you might receive an email that looks genuine and asks you to enter personal details on a fake website. In some cases, scammers try to hack email accounts so they can pretend to be you. They can then try to change bank details and redirect pension payments into their own accounts.
These scams can be hard to spot, and anyone can be targeted.
How can members protect themselves?
Chris Martin: The good news is there are some simple steps you can take:
- Register for MyPension and check regularly that your personal information is up-to-date.
- Use secure messaging through My Pension instead of email where possible.
- Ignore unexpected calls, emails, or messages asking for personal details or urgent action. Cold calling about pensions is illegal.
- Avoid using public computers, free Wi-Fi or someone else’s phone for anything involving your pension or personal details.
- Check with the Scheme administrator if something doesn’t look right.
- Keep up to date with scam warnings from trusted sources, such as the Pensions Regulator .
- Report concerns to Action Fraud if you think you’ve been targeted.
And remember, the Scheme administrator also has strong security in place. Keeping your pension safe really is a team effort.