When Tom Dibble joined Phoenix Group, parent of Standard Life, three years ago, pensions were the last thing on his mind. Having spent nearly a decade in the energy sector, and originally training as a primary school teacher, financial services seemed like unfamiliar territory. But today, Tom, 33, is not only passionate about pensions - he’s helping to reshape how the industry engages with savers through the Trustee Accelerator Programme (TAP). 

“I fell into financial services in a way, because it wasn’t something I thought I could do,” Tom admits. “You hear ‘financial services’ and think, oh, that’s not for me. But the mission of helping people secure a life of possibilities - really struck a chord.” 

Joining TAP: A Game - Changer

Tom’s journey began in internal communications, where he quickly became aware of a pressing societal challenge: millions of people are not saving enough for retirement. “People are sleepwalking into it thinking they’re fine,” he says. “That was a wake-up call for me.” 

When the Trustee Accelerator Programme was advertised internally, Tom applied on a whim. “I never thought this would be for me,” he recalls. “I assumed trustees were older professionals at the end of their careers. TAP completely changed that perception.” 

The programme provided Tom with a solid grounding in pensions, governance, and the trustee’s role. “It gave me confidence that my perspective as a younger saver matters,” he explains. “Trustees represent all members - not just those nearing retirement.” 

Building Skills and Confidence

Through TAP’s modules, Tom has learned about investment principles, governance frameworks, and the importance of soft skills in decision making. He is now preparing for final exams to gain his PMI qualifications. “It’s not about being the expert in everything,” he says. “It’s about bringing diverse viewpoints together to achieve good outcomes.” 

Tom’s TAP experience has opened doors. He now works in Standard Life’s Workplace pensions team, helping employers engage their staff with pensions, and will be Trustee Ready by June 2026. Recently, he was thrilled to be made a full member of Standard Life’s Master Trust Comms and Engagement Subcommittee. “I’ve moved from observing to influencing,” he says proudly. “I can challenge the norm and ask, how will this land with real people?” 

Innovating Member Engagement

Tom is passionate about making pensions less “dry.” His team is exploring creative approaches to make employer-led messaging more engaging. “People trust their employer more than their pension provider,” he notes. “We need to integrate pensions into everyday conversations, not treat them as a separate topic.” 

A Message to Younger People

Tom’s recommendation is clear: “Think about your pension now. Compound interest is powerful - what you save today will make a huge difference later.” He also encourages others to get involved in shaping the industry: “Pensions affect almost everyone. If you think things could be done better, explore opportunities like TAP.” 

Looking Ahead: PMI Takes TAP to the Next Level

Tom’s story is just the beginning. The PMI is now taking over the running of TAP, with plans to expand the programme across the industry. This move will ensure that more diverse voices, like Tom’s, are heard in trustee rooms across the country, helping schemes deliver better outcomes for millions of members. 

“I’ve experienced first-hand how great this programme is,” Tom says. “It’s brilliant that the PMI is scaling it up to diversify decision-making and make pensions more inclusive.” 

With PMI’s leadership, TAP is set to grow into a nationwide initiative, creating a new generation of trustees who bring fresh perspectives and challenge the status quo. 

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