The Pensions Regulator has appointed Charles Counsell as its new chief executive.
Counsell is currently chief executive of the Money Advice Service, and has previously worked for The Pensions Regulator as director of automatic enrolment.
He will join TPR in April 2019. The current chief executive, Lesley Titcomb, will step down from this role at the end of February next year.
Counsell is charged with leading the TPR as it implements a quicker and tougher approach to pension regulation, ensuring the 30 million members of workplace pension schemes are properly protected.
TPR chairman Mark Boyle says: “I am delighted that we have appointed someone of Charles Counsell’s calibre to drive forward our significant change programme.
“[Counsell] is a delivery-focused leader who gets the job done which is exactly what we need at this crucial time.”
Boyle thanked Titcomb for the “superb job” she has done over the last four years, which have helped transform TPR.
However, the Pensions Regulator had come under criticism from Parliament for its handling of a number of pension scandals, include the underfunding of both the Carillion and BHS pension schemes.
Titcomb denied that parliamentary pressure was behind the decision to step down from the role at the end of her four-year contract.
Minister for pensions and financial inclusion Guy Opperman adds: “The Pensions Regulator has an increasingly important role to play in ensuring schemes are operating responsibly to protect savers’ investments, with almost 10 million more people brought into a workplace pension by this government’s reforms.
“Charles Counsell has outstanding pedigree and a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forwarding to working with him.”
