Jeannie Drake has been appointed acting chair of the Personal Account Delivery Authority. She will take over from Paul Myners, who resigned earlier this week to take up a role with the Government.
Secretary of State for work and pensions James Purnell revealed Drake’s appointment at the National Association of Pension Funds’ annual conference in Glasgow. He confirmed that she would hold the position until a replacement is appointed.
Purnell said: “I am delighted to announce that Jeannie Drake has agreed to be acting chair ensuring that the important work of the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority can continue. She brings a wealth of experience to the role both in public and private pensions, and will continue the great work that Paul Myners started, in helping us to deliver personal accounts, and give millions of people the opportunity to save for their retirement.
“It was important that we were able to appoint an acting chair quickly so as not to lose any of the momentum we have built up over the last year, and I know Jeannie will carry that on over the coming months.”
Drake has extensive pensions experience, having served on the boards of the Pension Protection Fund, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Employment Appeals Tribunal. Between 2002 and 2006, she served as a member of the Pensions Commission and, from 2006-08 she was Chair of the Railway Pensions Commission.
She takes on her new role after recently retiring from her post as deputy general secretary of the Communications Workers Union, which she had held since 1995, where she specialised in IT and telecommunications.†
She said: “The challenge facing the authority as it moves towards delivery is significant, but millions of people stand to benefit from the successful introduction of personal accounts. I look forward to continuing to work with the Board, and everyone at the delivery authority, to help drive this important agenda forward.”
Chief executive of PADA, Tim Jones said: “I am delighted that Jeannie Drake has agreed to be the delivery authority’s acting chair. She brings a wealth of understanding and continuity to the post.”