Forthplus Pensions Limited (Formerly Athena Pensions Limited)
Forthplus Pensions Limited (FRN 653170) was an FCA-regulated Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) provider that operated under the former name Athena Pensions Limited, and before that as Helium Miracle 119 Limited. At its peak, the firm managed SIPP assets worth over £500 million on behalf of approximately 2,500 clients. It was placed into administration on 19 October 2021.
The firm entered administration after its board recognised that it could no longer meet its regulatory capital adequacy requirements and was unable to continue operating. This followed a surge in complaints at the Financial Ombudsman Service, many of which related to concerns about the due diligence Forthplus carried out before allowing clients to make certain investments within their pensions. The Ombudsman issued provisional assessments finding that, in a number of representative cases, the due diligence was inadequate.
Andrew Poxon, Alex Cadwallader and Barry Stewart of Leonard Curtis Business Solutions Group were appointed as joint administrators in October 2021. The FSCS received 644 claims against Forthplus and declared the firm in default in July 2025, enabling eligible claimants to seek up to £85,000 in compensation.
Issues / Why You May Have a Claim
SIPP providers have a duty to carry out proper due diligence before allowing pension funds to be placed in non-standard investments. Where that due diligence fails, clients can find their retirement savings locked in illiquid or worthless assets. Former Forthplus clients who were allowed to make unsuitable investments within their SIPP, or who suffered losses as a result of inadequate oversight, may have a strong claim for compensation.
Company background (public record)
The company was incorporated at Companies House on 14 March 2012 under company number 07990504. Its status at Companies House is recorded as liquidation.
Registered office: Leonard Curtis Riverside House, Irwell Street, Manchester, M3 5EN.
Previously named: ATHENA PENSIONS LIMITED; HELIUM MIRACLE 119 LIMITED.
Nature of business (SIC): 66290.
Company timeline (public record)
Key dated events for this firm, drawn from public records. Each entry shows its source.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Mar 2012 | Company incorporated | Companies House |
| 14 Mar 2012 | Richard Ian Hughes appointed director | Companies House |
| 17 Mar 2014 | Jonathan Anthony King appointed director | Companies House |
| 31 Mar 2021 | Stephen Reilly approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 31 Mar 2021 | Hazel Feeney approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 31 Mar 2021 | Pippa Dilley approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 19 Oct 2021 | Company entered administration (in administration) | Companies House |
| 10 Jan 2022 | FSCS update: Advice to open a Forthplus SIPP We’re aware that some Forthplus customers were advised by independent financial advisers… | FSCS |
| 16 May 2022 | FSCS update: FSCS is currently working closely with 3rd parties to gather data as well as information surrounding due diligence the f… | FSCS |
| 17 Aug 2022 | FSCS update: FSCS’s investigations into Forthplus Pensions Ltd are continuing | FSCS |
| 06 Dec 2022 | FSCS update: FSCS’s investigations into Forthplus Pensions Ltd are still ongoing | FSCS |
| 13 Feb 2023 | FSCS update: In early 2022, FSCS started to accept customers’ claims to assist with its investigations into Forthplus Pensions Limite… | FSCS |
| 20 Apr 2023 | FSCS update: Our investigations into whether there are valid claims against Forthplus Pensions Ltd are continuing | FSCS |
| 31 Aug 2023 | FSCS update: Our investigations into whether there are valid claims against Forthplus Pensions Ltd are ongoing | FSCS |
| 17 Oct 2023 | FCA status recorded as: No longer authorised | FCA Register |
| 05 Jan 2024 | FSCS update: FSCS’s investigation into Forthplus Pensions Ltd is progressing | FSCS |
| 28 Apr 2024 | Company administration ended (in administration) | Companies House |
| 28 Apr 2024 | Company wound up (creditors’ voluntary liquidation) | Companies House |
| 28 Apr 2024 | Insolvency practitioner appointed: Barry John Stewart | Companies House |
| 28 Apr 2024 | Insolvency practitioner appointed: Andrew Poxon | Companies House |
| 28 Apr 2024 | Insolvency practitioner appointed: Alex David Cadwallader | Companies House |
| 30 May 2024 | FSCS update: We've now received all of the available information and documentation that we requested from external parties | FSCS |
| 03 Dec 2024 | FSCS update: We have almost completed our investigations into Forthplus Pensions Ltd | FSCS |
| 26 Mar 2025 | FSCS update: We are now finalising the process that will enable us to assess claims against Forthplus | FSCS |
| 04 Jul 2025 | FSCS update: We can confirm that we've completed our investigation into the firm and that we're currently finalising the claims proce… | FSCS |
| 18 Jul 2025 | Declared in default by the FSCS | FSCS |
| 22 Jul 2025 | FSCS update: On 19 October 2021, Forthplus Pensions Limited (‘Forthplus’) entered administration and FSCS started to consider custome… | FSCS |
| 11 Aug 2025 | FSCS update: The Emerging Issues Team has now completed its investigation into the firm | FSCS |
Focused on the firm’s early history and the events leading up to and following its failure. 20 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.
- Robert Parker. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF11 Money Laundering Reporting (01/09/2015 to 08/12/2019), CF10 Compliance Oversight (01/09/2015 to 08/12/2019), CF1 Director (09/02/2018 to 08/12/2019), SMF17 Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) (09/12/2019 to 17/10/2023) at the firm.
- Christopher John Graham Holyoak. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF8 Apportionment and Oversight (01/09/2015 to 08/12/2019), CF1 Director (01/09/2015 to 08/12/2019), SMF3 Executive Director (09/12/2019 to 17/10/2023) at the firm.
- Danielle Hogg. Listed on the FCA Register as having held [FCA CF] Significant management (31/03/2021 to 14/06/2021) at the firm.
- Stephen James Graham. Listed on the FCA Register as having held [FCA CF] Significant management (31/03/2021 to 17/10/2023) at the firm.
- Simon King. Listed on the FCA Register as having held SMF3 Executive Director (13/04/2021 to 13/12/2021), [FCA CF] Significant management (31/03/2021 to 17/10/2023) at the firm.
- Stephen Reilly. Listed on the FCA Register as having held [FCA CF] Significant management (31/03/2021 to 17/10/2023) at the firm.
- Hazel Feeney. Listed on the FCA Register as having held [FCA CF] Significant management (31/03/2021 to 17/10/2023) at the firm.
- Pippa Dilley. Listed on the FCA Register as having held [FCA CF] Significant management (31/03/2021 to 17/10/2023) at the firm.
- Jonathan Anthony King. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF1 Director (05/11/2018 to 08/12/2019), SMF3 Executive Director (09/12/2019 to 12/02/2020) at the firm.
- Lynette Mapp. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF2 Non Executive Director (10/12/2015 to 08/05/2019) at the firm.
Review page sources: FCA Register (FRN 653170) · Companies House (07990504) · FSCS. Public records, provided for transparency.
