The Association was formed in 2004 because of concerns at the time about potential threats to the security of our pension fund following the transfer of ownership of the Lucas and Varity businesses to TRW in the USA.
We elected a managing Council to steer the future of the organisation, negotiate and discuss concerns and opportunities with the pension fund Secretary and manage the routine business of an organisation that now has about 3,000 members.
Since then, the situation has much improved with a good relationship being achieved with the ZF Pension Plan Secretary and there have been major changes relating to our pension providers and TRW Automotive Inc has been taken over by Z F Friedrichshafen AG in Germany.
To find out more about LTPA please use the tabs below:
Why an Association
Why do we need a pensioners' Association?
- We believe that it is still worthwhile to have a strong and well structured Association in place in today’s uncertain world.
- Future global upheavals in stock markets and bond yields, might have an impact on the value of our pension funds.
- To understand the frequent changes in pension legislation, valuation assumptions and the impact of increases in life expectancy.
- To answer members questions, wherever possible, or to steer them in the appropriate direction.
- We need to maintain an organisation to assess changing situations and have the strength to try and influence future events.
- To help any past employees of Lucas and TRW keep in touch and share experiences.
Achievements
What has been achieved so far?
- The Association has grown over the years to a membership of around 3,000.
- The Association has established a good relationship and dialogue with the Secretary of the ZF UK Pension Plan (previously the TRW Pension Scheme).
- We have good communication channels with the Legal & General Assurance Company (L&G).
- We publish a regular newsletter for members, normally half yearly, containing the latest news which might affect our pensions, matters of general interest to pensioners and of our past shared work background.
- We have efficient IT systems to keep in touch with members.
- We are members of the national Occupational Pensioners Alliance (OPA), which helps us keep up to date with changes in pension law and practice and represents pensioners’ interests on various government committees and study groups.
- We have good contacts with pensioners’ social groups.
- The Association believes it has:-
- Improved communication between the former TRW Pension Scheme (now the ZF UK Pension Plan) and its members. There has been improved information from the ZF Pension Plan trustees about the financial situation and actions being taken to improve the security of the fund.
- Informed members and generally assisted with the smooth transfer of pension payments to Legal & General and from the TRW Pension Scheme to the TRW Pension Plan (now the ZF UK Pension Plan).
Objectives
Objectives
The principal aim of the Association is to monitor the retirement benefits paid by both the ZF (formerly Lucas and then TRW) UK Pension Plan and Legal and General Insurance (L&G).
In support of this primary objective the priorities are to:-
- Act as an early-warning system and a watchdog on behalf of all ZF UK Pension Plan pensioners, deferred pensioners and those transferred to L&G and to react appropriately.
- Monitor the management and health of the ZF UK Pension Plan and Legal & General Assurance company finances and operation.
- Provide a powerful voice and ensure that the various pension administrators are aware of the Association members concerns and that they take appropriate action.
- Have a large network of pensioners in place who can act together on any matters which might adversely affect our future pensions.
- Continue to grow the membership of the Association to achieve credibility and ensure that our voice is heard.
- To have a governing Council that is representative of the membership.
- Maintain an efficient infrastructure which facilitates easy communication with members.
- Keep abreast of developments in the ZF UK Pension Plan sponsoring company, ZF and L&G, pensions legislation and the Pensions Protection Fund (PPF).
- Maintain links with other pensioners’ associations through membership of the Occupational Pensioners Alliance.
Organisation
Organisation
The management of the Association is the responsibility of the LTPA Council and its officers, who all act on a voluntary basis. The Council meets regularly, and smaller groups carry on with the work of the Association in between meetings. The issues discussed at these meetings are summarised in the regular newsletters.
The following roles are required to make the work of the Association effective:
- Chairman: Chairing meetings, overall direction and leadership, key contacts with the ZF UK Pension Plan Secretary and L&G.
- Secretary: Correspondence and website maintenace.
- Treasurer: Book-keeping, bank accounts, financial reports and annual accounts
- Newsletter Editor: Newsletter content and administration.
- Membership Administrator: Membership database and member contact.
- Meetings Secretary: Arranging Council, general, and ad hoc meetings, taking minutes.
The current members of the Council are listed on the 'Council Members' tab above.
At present, we don't have local branches, but we would be happy to provide support if members wished to start them.
This organisation structure, how we operate and manage the Association, and its expenditure etc, are regularly under review. We are always willing to consider suggested changes from our members.
Council Members
Council profiles as at October 2020
- John Anthony, 32 years with Lucas, LucasVarity and TRW retiring in 2000. Worked at Girling in Purchasing, Overseas Operations and Parts and Service at Cwmbran, Yardley and West Bromwich. Moved to general management roles in Lucas Aftermarket at Solihull then Shirley and continued in senior management positions within both LucasVarity and TRW. Was a Trustee Director of the pension fund in the years prior to retirement. LTPA member since 2005 and Council Chairman from 2009.
- Richard Dew, 34 years with Lucas retiring in 1997. Worked in Girling Finance at Tyseley and Pontypool. Moved to GKS and then Lucas Automotive at Shirley when Girling name disappeared. Worked with many businesses worldwide on Supply Chain Project and Audit. After retirement spells at TRW Finance and Lucas Varity and eight years in Finance and Management with a number of Manufacturing Businesses. LTPA Council Member and Meetings Secretary since 2009.
- Mark Cook, Previously worked at Lucas - LucasVarity - TRW - ZF Aftermarket (1996 - 2007 & 2013 - 2016) and Delphi - BorgWarner - PHINIA Aftermarket (2017 - 2024). He worked out of the Shirley, Fradley and Warwick offices leading and managing the European Supply Chain & Logistics operations, as well as having Operational Excellence responsibilities for supply chain activities globally. He has been an LTPA member since 2009 and joined the Council in 2024.
- Don Hannah, 44 years with Lucas retiring in 1990. Initially in battery factory laboratory, involved with quality and product development. 1960/65 started battery factory in Malaysia, then returned to product development and licensing. Moved to Electrical Overseas Operations at King Street and Shirley. LTPA member since 2006, joining the Council in 2009.
- Andrew Martin joined Lucas Girling at Tyseley in 1977 as a graduate trainee in Management Services and worked on numerous I.T systems. He left to join Warwick Business School in 1986, where he remained until retiring in 2019. Whilst at Warwick, he taught Systems Analysis, Enterprise Information Systems, IT Architecture, Spreadsheet, Database, and Web applications design and development and gained a PhD in 2006. Andrew has been an LTPA member since 2011 and joined the Council in 2018.
- Keith Morrell, 21 years with Lucas retiring in 1997. Worked in Finance and Operations at Electrical Overseas Division at Great King Street and Shirley. Spent 3 years in Finance with a Lucas Braking Joint Venture based in Belgium. Appointed a Trustee of the separate Bromborough Pension Scheme. Worked in Europe for a Swedish Company after leaving Lucas. LTPA Council Member and Secretary since 2005.
- John Noble, 24 years with Lucas at: Group Services, Girling, Rists, Lucas Industrial Systems, Lucas Industries in finance & general management roles. Later career at Fairey in venture capital and advising Governments in Africa and Eastern Europe. LTPA member since 2004 and joined the Council in 2015.
- Alan Toplis, 16 years with Lucas leaving in 1980. Worked in Information Technology and Management Services roles in Group Services, Butlers, Lucas Service Overseas and Lucas World Service. After leaving the Company worked for Chartered Accountants Cooper & Lybrand and Price Waterhouse before setting up own consultancy company. LTPA Member since 2005, Council member since 2011 and Treasurer since 2023.
- David Vinson, 43 years with Lucas retiring in 2004. Mainly based at Acton and worked for CAV/Lucas Diesel Systems/ Delphi Diesel Systems and occasionally other Lucas companies on Manufacturing Engineering and Facilities Projects throughout the UK and worldwide. Last position was six years in the Supply Chain Function at Gillingham. LTPA Member since 2005, joining the Council in 2013. Now Newsletter editor.
- Alan Watkins, 26 years with Lucas leaving in 1989. Initially at Group Research at Marston Green and Shirley, then at Batteries in Formans Road and then 14 years with Aerospace at Hemel Hempstead, Shirley and Solihull. Career started in Manufacturing Engineering moving onto General Management. After leaving Lucas worked for Hawker Siddeley and then London Transport where in both organisations involved in pensions. LTPA Council Member from 2005 until 2011 when became a Patron.
Constitution
Constitution of the Lucas/TRW Pensioners Association (LTPA)
The Constitution can be downloaded here