The Department for Work and Pensions has announced the appointment of Emma Douglas as the new chair of The Pensions Regulator (TPR) for a five-year term, effective 1 July.

Emma brings over 25 years of experience in the investment management and pensions industry, having served as wealth policy director at Aviva and as chair of Pensions UK, the trade body for the UK pensions industry.

In her new role as chair, Douglas will lead a group of non-executive and executive directors in the leadership of TPR and take over the role when the current TPR interim chair, Kirstin Baker, steps down. 

The appointment follows an open competition regulated by the Office for the Commissioner of Public Appointments. 

Commenting on the appointment, Pensions Minister, Torsten Bell, said: “Emma Douglas takes on this role as we deliver the most ambitious reform of the pensions landscape in a generation, all focused on making the system work harder for savers. 

“TPR plays a crucial role in this and protecting the retirement savings of millions of working people across the UK, and I look forward to working with Emma to make sure every worker in this country gets the retirement they’ve worked for.”

Adding to this, TPR CEO, Nausicaa Delfas, said: “At this pivotal moment for the pensions sector, I’m delighted to welcome Emma Douglas as TPR’s new chair. Emma brings a wealth of market experience that will be invaluable in helping to create a system that provides people with a sustainable income in retirement, security and value for all, and that could support UK prosperity more widely.”

Douglas said she is “delighted” to be appointed chair of TPR at “such a pivotal moment for pensions”. 

“The pension reform agenda represents one of the most significant transformations of the system in generations, and TPR has a key role in ensuring its successful delivery,” she continued.

“Throughout my career in the pensions industry, I have focused on helping people achieve a sustainable income in retirement, and I look forward to continuing this work at TPR alongside the CEO and TPR’s dedicated team, so we remain a strong, adaptable, resilient and inclusive regulator.”

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