Ben Gunnee to lead TPR’s Market Oversight Division
Ref: PN26-03
- Recruitment of permanent Executive Director launched alongside interim appointment.
Experienced pensions expert Ben Gunnee is joining TPR’s top team as Interim Executive Director, Market Oversight.
Ben Gunnee is a senior institutional business leader with over 25 years’ experience in the pensions market, including roles within investment consulting, fiduciary management and private markets asset management.
With the current Pension Schemes Bill poised to transform the pensions sector, Ben will continue TPR’s transition to a more prudential-style of regulation as the pensions landscape consolidates towards fewer, larger schemes. He will be responsible for the teams that supervise and engage with the businesses and trustees in the pensions market.
Alongside Ben’s interim appointment, TPR is launching a recruitment exercise to appoint a permanent Executive Director, Market Oversight, led by head-hunters Odgers.
Ben will lead the Market Oversight directorate from 23 February 2026, replacing current Interim Executive Director Julian Lyne. Julian joined TPR on an interim basis last April. He is leaving to take up a new opportunity with an investment management firm, following a hand-over with Ben to ensure a smooth transition.
CEO Nausicaa Delfas said:
“I am delighted Ben is joining us as interim Executive Director of Market Oversight. His financial services expertise and market knowledge will be invaluable as we focus on the practical implementation of the pension reform agenda and deliver the best possible outcomes for savers.
“I would also like to thank Julian Lyne for his very positive contribution at TPR, and wish him all the best in his new role".
Interim Executive Director, Market Oversight Ben Gunnee said:
“I am excited to be stepping into this role at one of the most important times for pensions. We have the opportunity to build a resilient and well-functioning defined contribution market, provide security for members of defined benefit schemes and drive stronger governance across private and public sector schemes. TPR’s role in bringing about these changes will be crucial.”
Notes for editors
- Ben Gunnee has held senior leadership roles at Mercer, Cambridge Associates and Gresham House, where he led international expansion initiatives, delivered significant AUM growth, and launched new services, products and fiduciary solutions. He brings a combination of strategic insight, product expertise, and has extensive experience working closely with investment teams, trustee boards and other stakeholders to help deliver on their objectives. As well as being a qualified actuary Ben has previously worked in pensions regulation for the Pensions Investment Authority (now the FCA) on the Personal Pension review.
- TPR is the regulator of work-based pension schemes in the UK. Its mission is to protect savers’ money, help to enhance the pensions system, and support innovation in the interests of savers. Its statutory objectives are: to protect members’ benefits; to reduce the risk of calls on the Pension Protection Fund (PPF); to promote, and to improve understanding of, the good administration of work-based pension schemes; to maximise employer compliance with automatic enrolment duties; and to minimise any adverse impact on the sustainable growth of an employer (in relation to the exercise of the regulator’s functions under Part 3 of the Pensions Act 2004 only).
- Whilst work between and across the functions is essential to delivery of end-to-end outcomes, TPR’s frontline regulatory directorates are primarily aligned to its strategic priorities:
- Strategy, Policy and Analysis supports innovation in savers’ interests using evidence and insight to set a clear long-term strategy, look ahead and work in partnership to evolve the regulatory framework.
- Market Oversight Group helps to enhance the pensions market and influence enhanced outcomes for savers through a more prudential-style of regulation, fostering expert engagement with the market to manage risks at an entity and system-wide level.
- Enforcement and Legal Group protects savers by preventing harm before it occurs - acting earlier, responding more effectively to serious risks, and delivering better outcomes for savers.
- These regulatory directorates work with:
- Digital Data and Technology Group, to leverage digital, data, and technology to advance the regulatory landscape, including how TPR and industry operates.
Press contacts
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- pressoffice@tpr.gov.uk
- 01273 648496
