Meet your Trustees
There are 10 Trustees who look after your Scheme. 5 are elected by members. The other 5 are appointed by the Trustees themselves.
Elected Trustees are chosen by members. They serve for 5 years at a time. Click on the constituency to see which Trustee represents that area.
MPS Appointed Trustees
Appointed Trustee Directors are appointed by the trustees themselves for the skills and experience they bring to the Scheme. Your appointed Trustees are:
Gary Saunders (Trustee Director and Chair)
I was appointed as a Trustee and Chair of the Committee of Management in May 2024. I have worked in manufacturing and retail industries for 25 years with Quaker Oats, Nestle, Sainsbury's, and DS Smith; latterly as Divisional CEO of DS Smith's European Corrugated Packaging business. I am currently the Chair of Trustee of DS Smith's UK Defined Benefit Pension Fund. I also Chair the Advisory Board of Autumna Ltd, a start-up business supporting individuals and families in finding the right care home for their needs. In my spare time, I enjoy watching rugby, travelling, cooking, and spending time with my grandchildren and family.
Paula Hay-Plumb OBE (Chair of MESC and DASC)
I was appointed as a Trustee in December 2021 and I am Chair of both the Member Experience Sub-committee and the Discretions & Appeals Sub-committee. A Chartered Accountant, my experience as both an executive and non-executive Director spans the private, public and charitable sectors. I spent nine years on the Board of national regeneration agency English Partnerships and in 1997/98 I was Chair of the Coalfields Taskforce, subsequently becoming a founding Trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. My other current non-executive appointments include The Crown Estate, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Michelmersh Brick Holdings plc. I was delighted to be awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list 2023.
James McAleenan (Chair of RASC)
I was appointed as a Trustee in August 2018 and I am Chair of the Risk & Assurance Sub-committee. Having worked in the financial industry for over 40 years, for KPMG, JPMorgan and BNP Paribas, I retired from full time employment in 2016 and am now a part time Trustee and Non-Executive Director for a charity, for a financial consultancy as well as for the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme. My experience in financial services includes roles as a Pension Trustee, as Chair of an Audit and Risk committee and as a CEO for a service provider to the pensions and investments industry.
John McLaughlin (Chair of ISC)
I joined the Committee of Management on 1 September 2021 as a Trustee and as Chair of the Investment Sub-committee. I worked for 24 years at Schroder Investment Management in a variety of roles, including as Head of Multi-Asset Investment. I am currently an independent director of the investment manager T. Rowe Price UK Limited and a member of the investment committee of The Kings Fund. I am also a trustee of the recycling charity Furnistore, which provides basic furniture to low-income families in East Surrey.
Dr Pretty Sagoo
I was appointed as a Trustee with effect from 21 September 2023. I am the Managing Director of Just Group’s Defined Benefit de-risking business, and a member of the Group Executive Committee. I have worked in the financial industry for 21 years at Athora, L&G, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs. Risk and investment management of pension liabilities has featured greatly in my career. I have been a pension fund trustee since 2010 of various pension schemes, and more recently have served on the Board of Cardiff University, as a Lay Member of Council, as well as a member of the Investment and Banking Sub-Committee.
MPS Elected Trustees
Bobby Clelland
I was first elected as the Pensioner Representative Trustee for Scotland, North West England and North Wales in October 2009. I am currently a member of the Investment Sub-committee, the Member Experience Sub-committee and the Discretions & Appeals Sub-committee. I worked underground for 26 years and was also Captain of the Mines Rescue Brigade. I am an active member of the NUM and have held various positions over the years. I am currently a representative for the medical appeals tribunal and an elected member of the Fife Council for West Fife and Coastal Villages.
Alan Gascoyne
I was re-elected as the Pensioner Representative Trustee for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire in August 2022 having held the position previously from 2006 to 2014, and am currently a member of the Member Experience Sub-committee and the Discretions & Appeals Sub-committee. I worked in the coal industry for 23 years and held a number of positions within the NUM, including Branch Secretary, Area Vice President and member of the Derbyshire Area Executive Committee. I have continued to represent former miners and their families in my constituency from my base at Shirebrook Miners Welfare since leaving the industry.
Anthony W. Jones
I was first elected as the Pensioner Representative Trustee for Central and Southern England and South Wales in October 2012 and am currently a member of the Risk & Assurance Sub-committee. I worked underground for 22 years, holding various posts in the industry; I served as Lodge Committee Secretary, and Chairman of the NUM South Wales Area. I was a previously elected member of Carmarthenshire County Council, and a Board Member of Dyfed Pension Scheme. I am currently Trustee of Ammanford & District Miners Welfare, the Swansea Valley Miners Disaster Trust and Ammanford Miners Theatre.
Allen Young
I was first elected as the Pensioner Representative Trustee for North East England and Overseas in April 2005 and am currently a member of the Investment Sub-committee. I worked in the coal industry for 20 years and my previous experience includes positions as a Lodge Secretary and Member of the NUM’s Durham Area and North East Area Executive Committee. I am currently an Independent Financial Adviser regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The Trustees' duties
How Trustees look after your pension
Ken Capstick, Pensioner Representative Trustee for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire since 2016, passed away in January.
An election for a new trustee will take place in 2025. All members living in the Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire constituency will be contacted with further details in due course.
