Pensions Minister, Torsten Bell, has appointed three new members to the board of The Pensions Regulator (TPR).

TPR executive director, market oversight, Ben Gunnee, was appointed to the board alongside two non-executive directors, Tracey McDermott and Chris Hitchen.

Announcing the new board members, TPR said the three were joining at “a pivotal time”, with the Pensions Schemes Act 2026 set to bring about significant changes to the industry, and the Pension Commission’s recent interim report highlighting challenges faced by UK pensions ahead of its final recommendations, which are due to be published next year.

TPR interim chair, Kirstin Baker, said she was "delighted" to welcome Gunnee, McDermott, and Hitchen to TPR's board.

"They bring strong leadership experience and deep pensions, regulatory and financial services expertise that will complement existing board skills and support our new chair Emma Douglas when she joins next month," she added.

Gunnee joined TPR in February as interim executive director, market oversight, before being made permanent.

He has held previously held senior leadership roles at Mercer, Cambridge Associates and Gresham House, and worked in pensions regulation for the Pensions Investment Authority (now the FCA) on the Personal Pension review.

Gunnee commented: “People expect a secure, sustainable income in retirement. At this vital moment for pensions, I welcome the opportunity to help deliver essential reforms and shape a system that drives strong outcomes for members.

“My focus will be on ensuring market participants have the highest standards of governance, employing a forward-looking and proactive supervisory model to stop harms before they arise.”

McDermott, who is a lawyer by background and spent 15 years at the UK FSA/FCA culminating as acting CEO, said she looked forward to using her “financial services and regulatory experience to help TPR deliver on its core mission and priorities".

Hitchen has over 30 years of experience in investments and pensions, including as Railpen CEO and, most recently, Border to Coast chair.

He commented: “My longstanding experience representing the pensions industry and working across large, complex schemes, has forged my commitment to better long-term outcomes for pension scheme members, their employers and for the UK as a whole.

"I look forward to working with the board and industry colleagues to deliver strong, flexible governance and high standards across the sector.”

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