The appointment follows a robust recruitment process and is effective immediately
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is today announcing the appointment of Caroline Siarkiewicz as Chief Executive. Caroline has been acting CEO since June 2019, during which time the organisation has developed and published its UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing.
Caroline takes up the helm of MaPS at an exciting time for the organisation as it commences the activation and mobilisation phase of its UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing, working with stakeholders throughout the UK to develop targeted delivery plans, and as it continues to deliver expert money guidance, pensions guidance and debt advice directly and indirectly to millions of people a year.
Caroline was previously Partnerships and Commissioning Director at MaPS, an executive board role with responsibility for the organisation’s relationships with partners throughout the UK, and for money guidance and debt advice operations with a commissioning budget of approximately £50m a year. Prior to that, she was Head of UK Debt Advice at one of MaPS’s forerunners, the Money Advice Service, and Chief Executive of the Institute of Money Advisers.
Sir Hector Sants, Chair of the Money and Pensions Service, said:
“The Board is pleased to announce that, following a robust recruitment process including a number of excellent external candidates, Caroline Siarkiewicz has been appointed as permanent Chief Executive of the Money and Pensions Service.
“Caroline has demonstrated – both through her time as acting Chief Executive and in her previous roles – her understanding of and commitment to MaPS’s vision, its customers, its people and its stakeholders throughout the UK. As Chair of the Board, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Caroline all the best in this new permanent role, which is effective immediately.”
Caroline Siarkiewicz, Chief Executive of the Money and Pensions Service, said:
“I am delighted to be taking up this new role on a permanent basis at such an exciting time for MaPS. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Hector and the Board for their confidence in me and I look forward to continuing our work towards everyone making the most of their money and pensions.
“MaPS has a unique role in connecting people behind a collective goal of improving financial wellbeing throughout the UK. As Chief Executive, I am ambitious and excited for what we can achieve through working together towards a common purpose.”
The Minister for Pensions, Guy Opperman, said:
“I’m delighted that Caroline will be leading the Money and Pensions Service through the next stage of its development. The delivery of the UK Strategy and Pensions Dashboard, alongside the current services that support the most vulnerable, remain top priorities for this government. I wish Caroline and all of the team at MaPS every success.”
-ENDS-
For media enquiries contact:
MaPS Press Office 020 8132 5284 / media@maps.org.uk
Sarah Cordey, senior communications manager 020 8132 5251 / sarah.cordey@maps.org.uk
Mia Cochrane, senior press officer 020 8132 4937 / mia.cochrane@maps.org.uk
Ben Infield, press officer 020 8132 4696 / Benjamin.infield@maps.org.uk
Notes to editors
Caroline Siarkiewicz biography
Caroline Siarkiewicz was previously Partnerships and Commissioning Director at MaPS, an executive management board role with overall responsibility of MaPS’s relationships with partners throughout the UK, and for money guidance and debt advice operations with a commissioning budget of approximately £50m a year.
Prior to that, Caroline was Head of UK Debt Advice at the Money Advice Service, a member of the executive leadership team leading the development of new ways of working with the debt advice sector. Caroline has established strong working relationships with stakeholders and, working collaboratively, has been successful in developing and implementing change across the sector aimed at improving customer outcomes.
Before this, Caroline was also Chief Executive of the Institute of Money Advisers, where she developed a new professional qualification for advisers and initiated a five-year strategy that doubled membership and substantially increased revenues.
About the Money and Pensions Service
The Money and Pensions Service vision is everyone making the most of their money and pensions.
MaPS is an arm’s-length body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and has a joint commitment to provide access to the information and guidance people across the UK need, to make effective financial decisions over their lifetime. The organisation also engages with HM Treasury on policy matters relating to financial capability and debt advice.
MaPS brings together the free services previously delivered by the Money Advice Service, The Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise. MaPS offers customers guidance and appointments over the telephone, online and in person.
For further information stakeholders should visit the Money and Pensions Service website www.moneyandpensionsservice.org.uk
Consumers can continue to access free guidance about their money and pensions via the following websites and help lines:
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk / 0800 138 7777