Background

Prior to the High Court Hearing regarding the acquisition of Halcrow by CH2M Hill, Dr Stephen Brichieri-Colombi, assisted by a strong team of retired and current Halcrow employees, consulted with associated persons and organisations including Halcrow Pensions Scheme (HPS) members, the HPS Trustees, the Halcrow Trust, the Halcrow Group, CH2M Hill and the Pension Regulator. Assurances were sought from the Principals of Halcrow and CH2M Hill concerning the long term security of the HPS, including the possibility of funds from the sale being used to mitigate the large deficit in the Halcrow Pension Fund. As the Principals of Halcrow Group and CH2M Hill were unable to provide satisfactory assurances, Stephen (as a private HPS member) raised objections at the High Court hearing on the acquisition of the Halcrow Group. However, although the judge at the High Court Hearing was impressed with Stephen’s presentation and was scathing at the lack of ‘concrete’ sureties from the Halcrow Group and CH2M Hill, he could not direct on how the monies from the sale were to be distributed. Furthermore, he could find no malicious intent regarding the management of the pension fund and so was obliged to accept the acquisition.

The funding position of the various Halcrow pension schemes has long been a matter of concern to beneficiaries, and these concerns were heightened by the sale of Halcrow to CH2M Hill (Europe). Consequently, following the High Court ruling, and after further consultation, a group of retired Halcrow employees (the founding members), decided to establish the Halcrow Pensioners Association (HPA) for members and dependants of deceased members of the Halcrow Pension Scheme. The primary long-term objective being to ensure the payment in full of the entitlement to pensions earned through service with Halcrow. This will be achieved in liaison with the trustees of the Halcrow Pension Scheme and through close monitoring and scrutiny of the documents issued by the HPS and the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) thus ensuring members are aware of any changes likely to affect their interests. Two of the Halcrow pensioners met with Martin Jenkins, a lawyer with extensive pensions-related experience. The notes of the meeting are here. One of the recommendations was to form an association.

In the event that adverse circumstances occur, the HPA needs to be in a position to react swiftly on behalf of its members. Other Pensioner Associations have demonstrated it is possible for pensioners to significantly improve their position if they are well organised and have the support of a large proportion of the pensioners. When events do occur, they tend to do so swiftly, and leave no time for pensioners to create an effective network. That is why we are seeking a response from all active and future pensioners, and hope you will all sign up to the HPA.

During the recent months, the founding members have:

1. Formed a Management Committee
2. Set up a Website
3. Drafted a Constitution
4. Set up a bank account
5. Made provisions to receive membership subscriptions
6. Produced this first Newsletter

HPA Management Team

The HPA founding members are: Stephen Brichieri-Colombi, Colin Schoon, Jane Tordoff, John Lawson, John Ratsey, Jon Bateman, Jonathan Hinks, Malcolm Bennett, Mike Scantlebury, Robert Every and Trevor Rackley.

HPA was formed by the founding members on 25th November and the provisional Management Committee comprises: Stephen Brichieri-Colombi (Chairman); Jane Tordoff (Secretary); Malcolm Bennett (Treasurer); John Ratsey (Webmaster); and Robert Every (Legal issues).

The authorised HPA bank account signatories are Colin Schoon, Jane Tordoff, Jon Bateman and Malcolm Bennett.

Management Committee members and officers will be elected at each Annual General Meeting to be held in April, commencing April 2013.