ABF’s Colin Hately

I can see why David Fairs picked up on this bit of news

If we are to pick out a firm that is “classy” in terms of pensions, I’d pick AB foods for my shortlist.

Is there any other DB pension scheme that boasts more than £2bn surplus to its need to meet its defined benefits? AB Foods’ DB surplus is huge.

Is there a company that runs its own DC scheme and talks progressively of what it will do to make it better?

Is there a Chief Investment Officer and Executive Chair of a pension department like Colin Hately? I first worked with this man when he was building Kingfisher’s pensions over 20 years ago. Nothing has changed – he’s still teaching me and many others.

So I’ll give my virtual “like” to ABF, its pension schemes and to its supremo and team (headed by Peter Morris). We need to tip our hats from time to time!