Mel Charles has been named the new director of automatic enrolment at The Pensions Regulator after nine years with the organisation.
His role will include supporting employers as they navigate the current COVID-19 challenges. He joined TPR in 2011 and held a central role in the design and delivery of automatic enrolment. He then led the ‘TPR Future’ programme that re-designed the organisation’s approach to regulation.
Charles is a qualified solicitor and began his career in private practice. He later joined the Civil Service, holding senior positions in policy, financial management, risk and programme delivery. He has worked in various areas, including the Lord Chancellor’s Department, the Department for International Development and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
TPR chief executive Charles Counsell says: “Mel played a key part in the initial roll out of automatic enrolment which has been a huge success that we at TPR are extremely proud of.
“Mel was also at the forefront of TPR’s work to sharpen our approach to become the clearer, quicker, tougher regulator that we are today. I am confident his wealth of experience and skill will be invaluable in maintaining the success of AE so that savers receive the pensions they are entitled to, now and in the future.”
Charles says: “I am very proud to be returning to TPR’s automatic enrolment operation as its director, but I could never have predicted that my re-introduction would be in the incredibly difficult circumstances created by COVID-19.
“Like many organisations in the UK, we are in a period of constant review and change. We will continue to make sure that our guidance and regulatory activity is proportionate as we support employers to meet their responsibilities to provide pensions for their staff.
“Despite the current challenges, we must not lose sight of the fact that automatic enrolment is a long-term commitment to savers that has required the combined effort of Government, employers, pension schemes and a range of other service providers to deliver.”
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