UK - The Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority has named John Ashcroft as strategic policy director, a new post.

Ashcroft was formerly director of regulation value for money at the National Audit Office, the government spending watchdog. “The object of this new post will be to lead Opra's organisational and policy development programmes,” the regulator said.

OPRA has also named new technical and operations heads. Kim Parsons, formerly acting head of OPRA's legal division, has been appointed technical services director.

“This new directorate brings together professional and technical services and incorporates the legal, actuarial, and technical teams,” it said.

Samantha Smith, former acting head of the regulatory directorate, becomes operations director.

Chief executive Tony Hobman said: "I very pleased to welcome the new directors to OPRA. Having led the NAO team which undertook a major review of OPRA last year, John has excellent knowledge of how we work and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

OPRA said the appointments have completed the restructuring of its management team. OPRA advertised the three posts in May as part of a plan to become “more flexible, proactive, advisory and risk-focused”.

OPRA has also published an updated 29-page guide to the minimum funding requirement.