Need help with a claim involving Carey Pensions

If you’re worried about losses from a transaction involving Carey Pensions and are considering compensation, our experts can help. We’ll review your case thoroughly to determine what happened, who’s responsible, and how much you could potentially recover.

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CAREY PENSIONS

Why You Can Claim Compensation or Redress Against Options UK Personal Pensions LLP (formerly Carey Pensions UK LLP)

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has been processing claims against Options UK Personal Pensions LLP, previously known as Carey Pensions UK LLP, related to mis-sold Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). If you were advised to transfer your pension into a Carey Pensions SIPP and suffered financial loss, you may be eligible to make a compensation claim.​

Background

  • Incorporated: Carey Pensions UK LLP was authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under Firm Reference Number (FRN) 501747. ​
  • Rebranding and Acquisition: In 2019, Carey Pensions rebranded as Options UK Personal Pensions LLP following its acquisition by STM Group Plc, a cross-border financial services provider. ​

Issues Leading to Claims

Carey Pensions UK LLP accepted business from unregulated introducers, such as Commercial Land & Property Brokers (CL&P), which advised clients to transfer their pensions into Carey SIPPs and invest in high-risk, unregulated assets like storage pods. Many of these investments underperformed or became illiquid, leading to significant client losses. ​

The firm’s failure to conduct adequate due diligence on these investments and introducers, despite operating on an “execution-only” basis, has been deemed a breach of regulatory obligations, resulting in upheld complaints and compensation awards. ​

Recent Developments

The Court of Appeal upheld the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) decision against Carey Pensions (now Options Pensions), confirming failures in due diligence on unregulated introducers and investments. This follows several high-profile cases where innocent customers, were misadvised and have lost their pension funds due to improper investments such as store pods and overseas property.

Who Was Involved?

The following individuals were associated with Carey Pensions UK LLP in regulated capacities:​

  • Christine Hallett – CEO​
  • Susan McPherson – Compliance Officer​
  • Patrick Fox – Sales Director​

Client Impact

Clients who transferred pensions into Carey SIPPs and invested in non-standard assets may have experienced substantial financial losses. The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and subsequent court rulings have established that Carey Pensions failed in its duty to conduct necessary due diligence, making them liable for client losses. ​

Compensation and Claims

If you were advised to transfer your pension into a Carey Pensions (now Options UK Personal Pensions LLP) SIPP and suffered financial losses due to unsuitable investments, you may be eligible to claim compensation through the FSCS.

If you transferred your pensions to or  invested in a Carey SIPP, you may have faced financial losses and could be entitled to pension compensation.
Cary Pensions issues with due diligence on the investments allowed into their SIPP and regulatory compliance have led to significant losses for their pension customers.

Common Issues:

  • Mis-sold Pensions: Unsuitable advice pushing high-risk investments not aligned with your risk profile.
  • Negligent Due Diligence: Failure to properly vet unregulated introducers and risky investments within their SIPP.
  • Regulatory Failures: Breaches of FCA regulations that exposed clients to unnecessary financial risk.

Take Action Today:

  1. Free Consultation: Discuss your situation with our legal experts to see if you have a claim.
  2. Case Assessment: We’ll review your SIPP details and investment history to determine eligibility.
  3. Claim Process: If eligible, we’ll guide you through the entire process on a no-win, no-fee basis.

Get Started Now!

Call us at 0161 840 1560 or request a callback to begin your claim for compensation. Don’t suffer in silence – you may be able to recover your lost pension.

Company background (public record)

The company was incorporated at Companies House on 12 February 1998 under company number 03509223. Its status at Companies House is recorded as dissolved.

Registered office: 11th Floor Landmark St Peters' Square, 1 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 4PB.

Previously named: CARCRAFT GROUP LIMITED; PINCO 1022 LIMITED.

Nature of business (SIC): 45112.

Company timeline (public record)

Key dated events for this firm, drawn from public records. Each entry shows its source.

Date Event Source
12 Feb 1998 Company incorporated Companies House
12 Feb 1998 Pinsent Masons Secretarial Limited appointed corporate-nominee-secretary Companies House
12 Feb 1998 Pinsent Masons Director Limited appointed corporate-nominee-director Companies House
18 Feb 1998 Company renamed (previously PINCO 1022 LIMITED) Companies House
11 Mar 1998 Mandy Marene Bowden appointed secretary Companies House
11 Mar 1998 Pinsent Masons Secretarial Limited resigned as corporate-nominee-secretary Companies House
11 Mar 1998 Mandy Marene Bowden appointed director Companies House
11 Mar 1998 Douglas Richard Kearney appointed director Companies House
11 Mar 1998 William Torquil Macnaughton appointed director Companies House
11 Mar 1998 Darren Thomas Mckee appointed director Companies House
26 Feb 2014 FCA status recorded as: No longer authorised FCA Register
26 Feb 2014 Pass Financial Services Ltd ceased as appointed representative FCA Register
26 Feb 2014 Ucan Car Credit Ltd ceased as appointed representative FCA Register
28 Mar 2014 Graham Pearson appointed director Companies House
28 Mar 2014 Robin Garry Bridge appointed director Companies House
28 Mar 2014 Darren Thomas Mckee resigned as director Companies House
28 Mar 2014 Noel Francis William Mckee resigned as director Companies House
28 Mar 2014 Steven Robert Nobes resigned as director Companies House
11 Sep 2014 Colin Anthony Houlihan appointed director Companies House
12 Sep 2014 Robin Garry Bridge resigned as director Companies House
30 Apr 2015 Company entered administration (in administration) Companies House
09 Jul 2015 Company administration ended (in administration) Companies House
09 Jul 2015 Company wound up (creditors’ voluntary liquidation) Companies House
09 Jul 2015 Insolvency practitioner appointed: Daniel Robert Whiteley Smith Companies House
09 Jul 2015 Insolvency practitioner appointed: Joseph Peter Francis Mclean Companies House
18 Dec 2015 Declared in default by the FSCS FSCS
12 Feb 2016 Sisec Limited resigned as corporate-secretary Companies House
10 Sep 2024 Company dissolved (creditors’ voluntary liquidation) Companies House

Focused on the firm’s early history and the events leading up to and following its failure. 37 routine entries from its active years are omitted.

Who was involved?

The following individuals are listed on public records in connection with the firm. These are matters of public record only and their inclusion does not imply any wrongdoing by any named person.

  • Noel Francis McKee. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF3 Chief Executive (14/01/2005 to 26/02/2014), CF8 Apportionment and Oversight (14/01/2005 to 31/03/2009) at the firm.
  • Robin Garry Bridge. Listed on the FCA Register as having held Responsible for Insurance Mediation (14/01/2005 to 26/02/2014), CF29 Significant management (12/01/2009 to 26/02/2014), CF1 Director (14/01/2005 to 26/02/2014) at the firm.
  • Darren Thomas McKee. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF1 Director (14/01/2005 to 26/02/2014) at the firm.
  • Barry Graham Kirk Nightingale. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF1 Director (06/06/2006 to 31/10/2008) at the firm.
  • Nigel Andrew Gilmore. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF17 Significant Mgt (Other Business Operations) (06/06/2006 to 31/10/2007), CF29 Significant management (01/11/2007 to 31/12/2008), CF11 Money Laundering Reporting (06/06/2006 to 31/12/2008), CF1 Director (06/06/2006 to 31/12/2008) at the firm.
  • Steven Robert Nobes. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF1 Director (19/02/2009 to 26/02/2014) at the firm.
  • Colin Anthony Houlihan. Listed at Companies House as director (appointed 2014-09-11).
  • Graham Pearson. Listed at Companies House as director (appointed 2014-03-28).
  • Mandy Marene Bowden. Listed at Companies House as secretary (appointed 1998-03-11, resigned 2002-09-30).
  • Anthony John Hinkley. Listed at Companies House as secretary (appointed 2006-01-09, resigned 2008-06-27).

Appointed Representatives and Agents

While it was authorised, the firm acted as principal for the following appointed representatives. An appointed representative carries on regulated business under the responsibility of its principal, so their conduct can be relevant to a claim.

Appointed representative Reference Effective from Ended
All In One Finance Limited FRN 438557 31/08/2005 26/02/2014
CC Automotive Group Limited FRN 438555 31/08/2005 26/02/2014
Pass Financial Services Ltd FRN 474679 01/11/2007 26/02/2014
Ucan Car Credit Ltd FRN 458218 05/10/2006 26/02/2014


Review page sources: FCA Register (FRN 309050) · Companies House (03509223) · FSCS. Public records, provided for transparency.

When it comes to Claims,
we won’t waste your time or ours.

This is why we have a 82%* success rate on submitted claims in similar circumstances to Carey Pensions

*82% success rate is an accurate figure based on pension and investment related claims submitted and concluded between 1st December 2020 to 1st August 2024.

Latest FSCS Update

September 2025

The FSCS has confirmed that Hartley Pensions Limited’s Joint Administrators are working through a structured exit strategy, with FSCS funding in place. Customers are being processed in groups, meaning some will see their situation resolved sooner than others. For those who held Store First lease investments inside a Hartley SIPP, the FSCS has confirmed it cannot directly surrender these leases, and customers should refer to the UHY Hacker Young website for Hartley’s position. If you are a Carey Pensions or Hartley customer feeling lost in this process, that is completely understandable, and our team can help you make sense of where you stand.

If you believe you may have been affected, please book a free consultation with our team. We will carry out all the investigative work on your behalf. If your claim is not successful, you will not pay a penny. You can call us during office hours or email hello@claimmyloss.co.uk – we are here to help.

Our Process for Making a Mis-sold Claim

Initial Consultation

Start a free consultation to understand your situation and help you decide on the best course of action.

Collect & Review Agreements

We”ll collect and review your documentation of the advice given, pension transfer details, and evidence of any financial losses.

Submit a Claim

We will formally submit your claim to the relevant parties, clearly outlining why you’re entitled to compensation.

How much is your financial adviser claim worth?

Use our Claim Calculator 

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