Meet the committee
Ian Cunningham
Chair
I joined British Airways in 1984 as one of the last members of APS. I made my wisest pension choice a month after joining when I declined the opportunity of transferring to NAPS - a choice I never regretted.
I spent my career at BA in the IT and Data domains often finding myself on the management side of reward discussions - which provides a different perspective!
After 37 years at BA I took the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of APS. I have recently become actively involved in ABAP, and this reflects the need to we all have to continue to keep an active eye on our pension rights. As has been proved in the recent past - if we are not vigilant we could lose out!
Mark Fielder
Vice Chair
I had a near 40 year career at BA in a variety of roles from 1976 to 2015, initially in Avionics then in IT, retiring in December 2015. In 1984, I chose to remain in APS rather than transfer to NAPS. In the final stages of my career, I was also a senior staff representative in the GMB union, of which I am now a life member. From April 2014 to December 2019, I was involved in the BA v APS Trustees legal action as the Representative Beneficiary (someone who is representative of scheme members, allowing various legal arguments to be explored in court). I believe that we must collectively work together to ensure all BA staff get the pensions to which they are entitled, whatever scheme in which they are members.
Bruce Wilmot
Treasurer
Serving Aircraft Technician of 38 years and currently in the role of Convenor for GMB Union in BA Engineering. Deferred member of NAPs and active member of BAPP. I was part of the consultation team that fought against the closure of NAPs and whilst ultimately did not achieve that goal gained substantial improvements for the replacement Scheme BAPP.
Alan Thomas
Membership Secretary
.In August 1977 I joined Telephone Sales at the West London Air Terminal. In October 1979 I moved to Check-in at Terminal 3, until 1981 when I joined the Terminal 2 Ticket Desk in Contract Handling. In 1985 I returned to Terminal 3 as a Customer Service Duty Manager. In 1986 moved from Terminal 3 to the new Terminal 4, where, in 1999, I took on the role of Customer Services Manpower Planning Manager until 2003 when I joined Special Services as one of their Duty Managers. Remained in that role following the move into the new Terminal 5 until 2012 when on reaching age 60 I decided to downgrade from Manager to Special Services Executive. Left in August 2020 after 43 years and 23 days service. I joined ABAP as a member years ago as soon as I heard of their existence, and the fine work they were doing keeping a watching brief over our various pension schemes. I volunteered to become a member of the ABAP committee in December 2022 to do my part in ensuring ABAP carries on into the future to continue helping both serving and former staff. We still need volunteers so please consider helping us.
Joel Kosminsky
Committee Member
Joined BOAC 1969 as a General Apprentice: worked in Traffic (Victoria), Reservations and Marketing until 1982, when I left BA. Gained a BSc at Middlesex Poly’, then joined London Transport, and latterly South West Trains before retirement in 2011. Main Interest is protecting our annual pension rises. I was an APEX and TSSA union rep and served on TSSA's Executive Committee for six years; I also was a lay Trustee for the Transport Benevolent Fund 2004-11. In retirement I have continued my union associations in TSSA’s Retired Members’ Group and I represent my union at the National Pensioners’ Convention, the TUC's LESE region and on the TfL Pensions Consultative Council.
Debbie Payne
Committee Member
41 years with BA, mainly in Flight/Global Operations. Did spend some of my early years in the 80’s working in BA Pensions at Kershaw House. Served as a Unite Trade Union Rep for 6 years up until I left the company towards the end of 2020. Goals: to keep BA Pension schemes protected and to ensure that women are represented, fully supported and receive equal pension benefits.
Tom Mitchell
Committee Member
42 year career at British Airways 1972-2015 including Reservations, Fares and IT. Member Nominated Trustee Director of Airways Pension Scheme (APS) 1999-2020. Highlight: Enabling Discretionary APS Pensions Increase from CPI to RPI. Main outside interests: Travel and Horse Racing.
Simon Green
Committee Member
7 years in BA in IT, Marketing&Ops Finance and Brands Management, culminating in the successful relaunch of Club Europe in 1992. Followed by consultancy for major UK and global brands in maximising the value of customers through acquisition and retention, communications, product development, and overall customer experience. Main interest: Ensuring the value of defined benefits schemes is maintained and enhanced through the Association and that associated processes and communications are effective..