The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has appointed Mel Charles as director of automatic enrolment (AE), where he will be responsible for leading the regulator's work on the initiative.

The regulator said his work will include supporting employers with coronavirus challenges, helping them to continue to meet their responsibilities towards staff saving into a workplace pension through AE.

Charles joined TPR in 2011 with a central role in the design and delivery of AE, leading the ‘TPR Future’ programme that re-designed the organisation’s approach to regulation and challenged it to become 'clearer, quicker and tougher'.

Prior to his work with TPR, the qualified solicitor began his career at a private practice and then joined the Civil Service, holding senior positions in policy, financial management, risk and programme delivery.

During this period, he spent time working in the Lord Chancellor’s Department, the Department for International Development and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

TPR chief executive, Charles Counsell, commented: “I am extremely pleased that Mel has been appointed to lead our AE team, particularly in these challenging times. Mel played a key part in the initial roll out of AE 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.”

Mel Charles added: “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 AE 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.

“It is my privilege to be leading the team responsible for protecting those savers as they work towards their retirement.”

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