Pensions Regulator director, Charles Counsell, will take the reigns as chief executive of the Money Advice Service (MAS) this summer.
Mr Counsell, who was awarded an OBE for services to workplace pension reform at the start of this year, will take over in June.
He will succeed Caroline Rookes, who revealed she was stepping down in November last year.
Andy Briscoe, chair of the MAS, said Mr Counsell has a “wealth of experience” in a number of key areas, such as managing complex transition projects.
“He is also very experienced in managing complex stakeholder relationships and is well-known and respected within government and the sectors we engage with.”
The MAS is currently undergoing a radical overhaul of its service, which will see it merge into a single financial guidance body.
Mr Counsell has been executive director at the Pensions Regulator since 2011 and has played a key role in introducing auto-enrolment into workplace pensions.
The appointment was made by the Financial Conduct Authority and approved by HM Treasury.
Mr Counsell said: “My experience of guiding organisations though periods of profound change will I’m sure be invaluable as we move towards establishing the new single financial guidance body.”
Ms Rookes will continue as chief executive until Mr Counsell joins on 5 June to try to ensure a smooth transition.
katherine.denham@ft.com
