MPs have endorsed the decision to appoint Emma Douglas as the chair of The Pensions Regulator.
Douglas had been the Government preferred candidate, but was required to face questions from the cross-bench Parliamentary Work and Pensions Committee as part of the selection process.
These focused on her experience in the industry and plans to meet future challenges when it comes to regulating the workplace pensions industry.
Douglas is currently head of wealth for Aviva and is also the non-executive chair of Pensions UK.
During the committee session, Douglas acknowledged that “there has to be a careful view on the allocation of resources” for the regulator going forward. Douglas says one of the biggest long-term issues facing the sector was savings adequacy, identifying the risk that the next generation of pensioners could be significantly poorer, as they had no benefited from auto-enrolment.
As chair, Douglas will be responsible for reviewing the strategic direction of the regulator and holding to account executives within it
Work and Pensions Committee chair Debbie Abrahams says: “[Douglas] has worked her entire career in pensions. We believe that she has the necessary independence, skills, and experience to lead The Pensions Regulator through the reforms the sector will be implementing over the next few years.
“We wish her every success in the role and look forward to working with her.”
