Pointon York was a UK SIPP operator that became part of the AJ Bell Group. Some Pointon York SIPP clients were advised to hold non-standard or illiquid investments within their products. If you transferred your pension to a Pointon York SIPP on the advice of an IFA and suffered losses on unsuitable investments, a claim may be available.
Pointon York was an established SIPP operator that was incorporated into the AJ Bell Group following a merger. AJ Bell is one of the UK's largest SIPP platform operators. As legal successor to Pointon York, AJ Bell is the appropriate respondent for historical complaints about Pointon York's conduct as a SIPP operator.
During its period as an independent operator, some Pointon York SIPPs were used to hold alternative or non-standard investments recommended by IFA firms. The regulatory framework established since the FCA's Finalised Guidance FG13/8 in 2013 imposes clear due diligence obligations on SIPP operators for such assets.
If you were advised by an IFA to transfer to a Pointon York SIPP and invest in an asset that subsequently suffered significant losses or became illiquid, the established legal framework under Berkeley Burke [2018], Adams v Carey [2020], and Fletcher [2024] provides the basis for claims against both the adviser and the operator.
The correct route depends on whether the firm is still active, the nature of your loss, and whether FSCS compensation has already been paid on related adviser claims.
As the successor entity to Pointon York, AJ Bell is the correct first recipient for DISP complaints about Pointon York's historical conduct as SIPP operator. Submit your complaint in writing setting out the facts.
AJ Bell as successorIf AJ Bell rejects your complaint about historical Pointon York conduct, escalate to FOS. FOS can consider the conduct of the original operator even after a corporate merger.
FOS escalationIf the IFA who advised you to move to the Pointon York SIPP has failed and been declared in default, FSCS compensation of up to £85,000 per eligible person per firm is available against that adviser.
Against failed adviserFor large pension losses, civil proceedings against AJ Bell (as Pointon York's successor) and other solvent parties in the chain offer uncapped recovery under the established operator liability framework.
Uncapped recoveryThe legal framework governing SIPP operator liability has been substantially clarified by two Court of Appeal decisions. Options UK Personal Pensions LLP v Fletcher [2024] EWCA Civ 541 confirmed that SIPP operators owe active due diligence duties and may be liable where they accept unsuitable non-standard assets into client SIPPs without proper assessment.
Adams v Carey Pensions UK LLP [2020] (FSMA s.27) established that where a SIPP was set up through an unauthorised introducer, the contract may be voidable, enabling full restitution of invested funds regardless of the FSCS cap.
In parallel, Berkeley Burke SIPP Administration Ltd v Financial Ombudsman Service [2018] EWHC 2368 (Admin) confirmed that FOS has jurisdiction to make awards requiring SIPP operators to compensate clients for due diligence failures — and that courts will not readily overturn such awards on judicial review.
SIPP operator claims are subject to the same DISP and Limitation Act deadlines as adviser claims. FSCS claims must also meet prescribed eligibility windows.
DISP complaints: six years from advice or three years from discovery. Limitation Act applies to civil proceedings. See redressadvisory.com/time-limits.
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Begin Your AssessmentYou do not need to use a claims management company to pursue a pension mis-selling complaint. You can complain directly to the financial firm, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), apply to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), or instruct a solicitor independently — all free of charge. Using Redress Advisory does not improve the likelihood of success compared to pursuing a claim yourself, and our fee will reduce any compensation you receive.
Redress Advisory Ltd (Company No. 17295681) is a claims management company. Regulated legal work is carried out by our Operating SRA Partner solicitor firms. We are not a firm of solicitors and we do not provide legal advice.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or claims management advice. Individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case. Historical outcomes in related cases are not a guarantee of results in your case.
FOS: 0800 023 4567 | FSCS: 0800 678 1100 | FCA Register: register.fca.org.uk