TPR hires for crucial admin and dashboards role
Taylor Brightwell-Smith has joined The Pensions Regulator (TPR) this week from the Government Actuary’s Department to lead its work on administration, pensions dashboards, and cybersecurity — three key areas for the regulator’s ongoing strategy.
According to a LinkedIn update, Brightwell-Smith will serve as TPR’s new theme lead. Before this appointment, he worked for nearly four years as a pensions consultant at the Government Actuary’s Department, following seven years at Trafalgar House Pensions Administration, and additional experience at Capita.
He was also a speaker at the Private and Public Pensions Summit in 2024.
Regulatory cooperation and upcoming reforms
The appointment coincides with TPR’s collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on a potential new legislative proposal. The initiative may grant the regulator direct oversight powers over pension administration providers.
“Pensions Expert reported in August that the regulator and DWP had discussed the idea of a Pension Reform Bill, incorporating changes to TPR’s powers relating to professional trustees and administrators.”
Insights from TPR’s recent report
In a recent analysis of the administration sector, TPR pointed to several areas needing improvement. These included challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled staff, modernizing technology systems, and strengthening cybersecurity measures.
Author’s summary
TPR strengthens its leadership as Taylor Brightwell-Smith takes on oversight of administration, dashboards, and cybersecurity amid ongoing pension reform discussions.