The Pensions Regulator appoints new executive directors

TPR has appointed three new executive directors.

Nina Blackett is now executive director of strategy, policy and analysis. She joined TPR in September 2023, and has been director of digital services and interim director of strategy. Before she joined the regulator, she led digital transformation in various roles in finance, healthcare and regulation.

Blackett said: “I’m excited to be leading the Strategy, Policy and Analysis directorate at TPR at this pivotal moment for pensions in the UK, as the balance shifts from Defined Benefit schemes to Defined Contribution. I look forward to building on the great work already done to evolve TPR with the market.” 

Neil Bull is now TPR’s executive director of market oversight, having held the interim role since April 2024. Before that he was TPR’s head of investment. Prior to joining the regulator, he held various roles in the pensions industry.

Bull said: “I’m thrilled to be leading TPR’s new Market Oversight directorate at this critical time for the pensions market. I and my talented team are dedicated to enhancing the market to ensure savers get good outcomes. We’ll be engaging with schemes and others in new ways to establish greater strategic market oversight, raise standards of trusteeship and ensure value for money for savers.”

Finally, Gaucho Rasmussen is TPR’s new executive director of regulatory compliance. He joins TPR from Amazon, where he advised on regulatory compliance.

Rasmussen commented: “I’m delighted to be leading TPR’s Regulatory Compliance directorate at this exciting time, as the regulator designs and implements tangible improvements to protect pensions savers’ interests.”

ZEDRA appoints new global head of pensions and incentives and co-managing director

Independent trustee firm ZEDRA has promoted Rachael Fortescue to the newly created role of global head of pensions and incentives. In her new role, Fortescue will bring together the collaborative experience of the ZEDRA team in order to serve clients’ best interests across different markets.

Fortescue said: “The pensions landscape continues to evolve. Increasing regulatory and governance pressures means it is a highly complex and challenging environment for pension schemes. I look forward to leveraging our collective knowledge across the team to deliver innovative pension and incentive solutions that truly align with our clients’ long-term goals. Helping them to navigate the challenges they face with a pragmatic and supportive approach.”

With Rachael moving into a global role, ZEDRA Inside Pensions has appointed Manjinder Basi as co-managing director, working together with Ryan Powell. Basi has 18 years’ experience in the pensions industry, the last ten of which have been spent at ZEDRA.

Basi said: “ZEDRA is a leader in the pensions field with ambitious plans and a strong team who are continually looking at new and innovative ways to help clients reach their goals. I’m excited to lead our talented team into this next chapter.”