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Sir John Chadwick issues third and final interim report on an ex-gratia payment scheme
Issued by the News Distribution Service on behalf of The Office of Sir John Chadwick.
Sir John Chadwick has today issued his third and final interim
report on an ex-gratia payment scheme for policy holders most
affected by events at Equitable Life, which sets out:
• the provisional answers to the questions Sir John needs to
address in his advice to the Government;
• Sir John’s provisional view on which life companies are
suitable as a basis for a comparator in the assessment of relative
loss resulting from accepted maladministration;
• His provisional views as to what factors the Government may
wish to take into account when considering which policyholders
have experienced disproportionate impact from the accepted
maladministration; and
• provisional quantitative advice from Sir John’s actuarial
advisers, Towers Watson (formerly Towers Perrin) on how the
Society’s financial position would have been presented differently
to the public absent maladministration.
Sir John’s Third Interim Report develops from his Second
Interim Report of December 2009, in response to which he received
a number of representations. Many of these responses are also
published today.
Those wishing to make representations on Sir John’s Third and
final Interim Report are requested to send written comments to him
by 9 April 2010.
Sir John will review all representations he receives while
his team continue its further detailed analysis. To assist Sir
John in deciding whether it is reasonable for him to rely on its
advice, Towers Watson has appointed a panel of three senior
external and independent actuaries to peer review its actuarial
assumptions and methodology.
Sir John expects to provide his final advice to the
Government in May 2010.
Notes to editors
1. Sir John’s interim report “Equitable
Life ex-gratia payment scheme: Third Interim Report” is available
from the HM Treasury website and that of the Office of Sir John Chadwick.
2. Sir John was engaged by the Government in January 2009 to
advise on:
- the extent of relative losses suffered by
Equitable Life policy holders;
- the proportion of losses which can be apportioned to a) the
maladministration accepted by the Government, and b) the actions
of Equitable Life and its advisers;
- which classes of policy holder have suffered the greatest
impact as a result of the maladministration accepted by the
Government;
- factors arising from this work which the Government might
wish to take into account when reaching a final view on
determining whether disproportionate impact has been suffered; and
- the nature and extent of the finding of maladministration
and injustice in relation to Finding 5 and the nature and extent
of the finding of injustice in relation to Findings 2 & 4
so far as those Findings are now accepted.
3. In December 2009 Towers Perrin merged with Watson Wyatt to form Towers Watson.
4. The actuarial peer review panel has been appointed by Towers Watson. Sir John welcomes its appointment. The Panel is comprised of Gavin Hill FIA, Peter Shelley FIA and Michael Urmston FIA, none of whom have or had any connection with Equitable Life.
a. Gavin Hill was a Managing Director at National Mutual Life from 1988 to 2002 and is now chief investment officer at ‘telent’
b. Peter Shelley has been a senior actuary at AXA UK since 1990 and is currently the With Profits Actuary for several funds
c. Michael Urmston was chief actuary and then Finance Director at Aviva Life. He retired in 1998 and is now non executive director on a range of life assurance company boards
5. Sir John issued his earlier document “Equitable Life ex-gratia
payment scheme: Second Interim Report” on 16 December 2009.
6. For information about the Office of Sir John Chadwick,
please refer to its website. This will allow access to all
material produced by Sir John, as well as his ongoing reports of
progress. Users can also sign up for automatic emails, updating
them on any news or new material.
7. Representations and comment in response to this
consultation document should be put in writing and sent by 9 April
2010 to: The Office of Sir John Chadwick, One Essex Court, Temple,
London, EC4Y 9AR
Email: info@chadwick-office.org
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Sir John Chadwick press office
Phone: 020 7270 5238
info@chadwick-office.org