AMPS has paid tribute to leading Sipps commentator and former AMPS chairman Mike Morrison, head of platform technical at AJ Bell, who died unexpectedly at the age of 55 earlier this week.

AMPS, the trade body for SIPPs and SSAS providers, saluted the life and contribution to the industry of the pensions expert who was found dead at home by his wife on Monday. He had been working from home when he died suddenly. The cause of death has not yet been given. He was found by his wife Rita.

Mr Morrison was one of the leading Sipps commentators in the UK with a depth of knowledge of the sector rivalled by few. He was a regular columnist to SIPPs Professional for many years and his column can still be viewed on this site. Many Financial Planners have paid tribute to a man described as "kind and always helpful."

Delegates at a major Financial Planner investment conference - AJ Bell's Investival - today applauded his life at the start of the event (see video below). 

He was a major figure in AMPS - the Association of Member-Director Pension Schemes - for many years. 

Zachary Gallagher, chairman of AMPS, said: “The Association of Member-Directed Pension Schemes will forever remember Mike as a man of great energy, commitment and humour in advancing the interests and concerns of the industry he served with such distinction over such a long period of his life.

"Mike had a rare talent for expressing complex subjects in a straightforward and compelling way, and he used this talent to great effect in his work for AMPS, at a time when pensions was going through fundamental change.

"He was a dedicated AMPS committee member and chairman during the crucial first few years of pensions simplification, doing much to enhance the Association’s profile, and he was always ready to take up the industry’s cause. Mike’s genial manner enabled him to express his great knowledge and experience in a way people could only respond favourably to, and it won him many friends in the industry and beyond.”

Financial Planning Today has received many tributes to Mr Morrison following the announcement of his sudden death.

Diane Weitz, director of Ashlea Financial Planning, said: "Such sad news to hear of Mike Morrison’s death. He was always so willing to help, I remember having to fill a slot for an IFP meeting at very short notice and as usual delivered a fascinating and informative talk. He will be sorely missed, a lovely immensely kind man. I would also like to send condolences to his wife and daughter, devastating for them."

At AJ Bell's Investival Event today delegates applauded the life of Mike Morrison for a minute before the event started in memory of one of AJ Bell's best known executives who spoke regularly at AJ Bell conferences and was much liked by colleagues.

Mike ... #Legend#AJBellInvestival pic.twitter.com/lEistOqlVq

— AJ Bell Investcentre (@Investcentre) November 9, 2017

AJ Bell paid tribute to him as “well known, liked and respected” within the industry that he worked in for almost 30 years through roles at Winterthur Life, AXA Wealth and AJ Bell.

Andy Bell, chief executive at AJ Bell, said: “Mike was never more comfortable than when he was in a room full of financial advisers talking about complex pension topics in his unique, engaging and light hearted way.

“He was one of the most popular pension commentators in the industry and leaves behind many friends and colleagues.  Most importantly he was a dearly loved husband and father and our thoughts and support are with his family at this difficult time.  He will be sorely missed by everyone at AJ Bell.”

Kevin O'Donnell, editor of SIPPs Professional, said: "I knew Mike for over 20 years and was due to catch up with him for lunch soon. He was a kind, generous and hugely well informed man and immensely helpful to myself and many other financial journalists. He retained a huge interest in pensions and few could match his knowledge and his insights. Meeting up with Mike was always a pleasant experience.

"He was a pensions giant and the industry is a lot poorer without him. Our condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues who have lost a very decent man."

• For the Financial Planning Today story about the news of Mike Morrison's death and earlier tributes click here: https://www.financialplanningtoday.co.uk/news/item/8105-pensions-legend-mike-morrison-dies-at-55