The UK’s National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) is losing one of its policy team to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Richard Wilson, who has been with the industry group since 2008, confirmed to IPE he would be joining the FCA in July as pensions technical specialist.

In his time as defined contribution (DC) policy lead at the NAPF, Wilson has overseen its work on the introduction of auto-enrolment and managed the Pension Quality Mark initiative, a certificate for DC funds to demonstrate they meet certain standards of governance and communication.

His departure will come months after the largest reforms to DC pensions in a lifetime, with members from this month on allowed to draw down the entirety of their pot from 55 onwards.

Wilson told IPE: “I’m really excited about joining FCA and contributing to their growing programme of work on pensions. The current reforms make this a particularly important time for pension regulation and supervision.”

In addition to his work at the NAPF, Wilson was a long-standing member of Haringey Council in London, losing his seat as councillor and leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition at the elections in May 2014.

While in office, he was also a member of Hanringey’s pensions committee, responsible for supervision of the local authority pension scheme.

Before joining the NAPF in 2008, Wilson spent three years as policy adviser on pension matters at the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and four years working in policy at charity Help the Aged.

Graham Vidler, director of external affairs at the NAPF, praised Wilson’s work at the organisation.

“Richard has been a valued member of our team and will be missed,” he said.

“Our members have particularly appreciated his expertise in the run-up to the pension freedom reforms. We wish him every success in his new role.”

The NAPF is currently recruiting for Wilson’s replacement.

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