Emma Douglas named chair of UK Pensions Regulator

The UK government has appointed Emma Douglas as the new chair of The Pensions Regulator (TPR).

Douglas will take up the role at a time of ongoing change across the UK pensions landscape, with the regulator continuing to focus on protecting savers while supporting innovation and market development, it noted in a statement.

Her five-year term begins on 1 July 2026, when current interim chair Kirstin Baker steps down. 

Announcing the appointment, pensions minister Paul Maynard said: “I am delighted to appoint Emma Douglas as chair of The Pensions Regulator. Emma has a wealth of experience in the pensions industry and I look forward to working with her as TPR continues to support savers and drive forward innovation in the sector.”

Douglas said: “I am honoured to be appointed chair of The Pensions Regulator at such a pivotal time for the pensions industry.”

She added: “TPR has a crucial role to play in supporting innovation while maintaining high standards of member protection.”

Douglas brings extensive industry experience, having held senior roles across pensions policy, governance and workplace savings. She is currently wealth policy director at Aviva and chair of Pensions UK.

Her appointment follows a period of heightened regulatory focus on defined contribution (DC) schemes, consolidation and value for money, as well as the broader objective of ensuring pension schemes deliver improved outcomes for members.

TPR chief executive officer Nausicaa Delfas welcomed the appointment, stating: “Emma’s deep understanding of the pensions landscape and her commitment to delivering good outcomes for savers will be invaluable as we continue to evolve as a regulator.”

The regulator has been increasing its emphasis on market oversight and driving higher standards in governance and administration, alongside supporting the government’s wider pensions reform agenda.

Douglas’s leadership is expected to play a key role in shaping TPR’s strategic direction as it navigates these priorities, balancing effective supervision with enabling innovation across the pensions system, TPR said.

The appointment underlines the government’s focus on ensuring strong governance at TPR as it oversees the UK’s workplace pensions market and safeguards member interests.