RMJM is being investigated by the Pensions Regulator amid claims the architect is wrongly withholding contributions due to its employee pension scheme.

According to BD’s sister title Building, the regulator said it is carrying out an inquiry into RMJM’s money-purchase pension scheme after being alerted by provider Aegon.

Scheme members claim the firm has not handed over employer and employee contributions deducted from paid salaries.

One employee told the magazine: “They [Aegon] have confirmed that no employer or personal contributions were made in January or February.”

RMJM, which completed the Capital Gate tower in Abu Dhabi at the end of last year (pictured), has recently been paid the first tranche of a major debt in the Middle East, believed to be from Dubai Properties Group, and a spokesman said this would enable it to catch up on missing payments soon.

He added: “We’ve been in regular contact with Aegon on this matter. While there are some payments outstanding, we’re actively working to resolve this issue and are confident of bringing the matter to a swift and satisfactory conclusion for the staff affected.”

Postscript:
RMJM said in the last few days it has made “a large payment” to Aegon after it had been paid the first part of its debt from Dubai Properties Group. “We are now in receipt of funds as agreed with our client and the process of pension payments is now well underway,” a spokesman added.