MPs endorse Emma Douglas for Pensions watchdog chair

MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee have endorsed Emma Douglas for the role of Chair of the Pensions Regulator.

Douglas, the Government's preferred candidate for the role, faced questions from the Committee during a pre-appointment hearing on Wednesday around her experience and plans to meet the future challenges of regulating the workplace pension industry.

During the session, she acknowledged that “there has to be a careful view on the allocation of resources” for the regulator and that she would push for more prioritisation of work as it undergoes a cultural shift.

In a discussion on the longer-term risks that the regulator must manage, Douglas identified adequacy levels of defined contribution pensions adding that there could be a lost generation of poorer pensioners – who did not benefit much from auto-enrollment. 

Work and Pensions Committee Chair Debbie Abrahams said, “Emma 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.”

As Chair, Ms. Douglas will be responsible for reviewing the strategic direction of the regulator and holding to account executives within it.

ENDS