Delegates at a major Financial Planner investment conference - AJ Bell's Investival - have today applauded the life of leading pensions expert Mike Morrison who died suddenly aged 55 after suffering a brain hemorrhage at home earlier this week. 

A leading pensions trade body has also paid tribute to Mr Morrison. AMPS, the trade body for SIPPs and SSAS providers, saluted the life and contribution to the industry of pensions expert and former AMPS chairman Mike Morrison.

Mr Morrison, head of platform technical, was one of the leading Sipps commentators in the UK with a depth of knowledge of the sector rivalled by few. 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.”

Mr Morrison, apart from being a regular contributor to Financial Planning Today, was also a columnist for Financial Planning Today's sister website SIPPs Professional where his columns attracted substantial audiences and often sparked debate.

Financial Planning Today has continued to receive further tributes to Mr Morrison following the announcement of his sudden death at home on Monday.

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 had spoken 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

Pensions legend Mike Morrison died at home on Monday at the age of 55, leaving wife Rita and young daughter Sophie, aged 10. He was believed to have been found by his wife and had been working at home earlier in the day. They had been married for 25 years.

AJ Bell has 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.”

• For our first story 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

• A Just Giving Page has been set up in memory of Mr Morrison to raise money for Daisy's Dream, a charity set up to raise money for children and families coping with bereavement. The Just Giving page is here:  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rita-morrison

• Editor's Note: story updated 14.11.17 to include cause of death and some other details plus Just Giving page.