The Pensions Regulator

New executive director joins the regulator

Ref: PN08-23
9 October 2008

The Pensions Regulator today confirmed the appointment of Bill Galvin as executive director for strategic development, taking over from Chris Dobson, whose six-month engagement has come to an end.

Bill Galvin joins the regulator from the Department for Work and Pensions where he is currently deputy director for pensions protection policy. He will join the regulator on 13 October.

Commenting on his new role Bill Galvin said: “Since 2005, the regulator has taken great strides in helping companies and trustees to manage the uncertainty of long-term pension promises. I am very excited to be joining the team at a time when the pensions landscape is getting set for further big changes. I am looking forward to working closely with employers and the pensions industry, seeking to ensure scheme members continue to have confidence in their pensions.”

Chris Dobson is to join PricewaterhouseCoopers as a consultant. Speaking about his time at the regulator, Chris Dobson said: “I am glad to have had the opportunity to be part of the executive team at the Pensions Regulator. It does a great job and has an important role as a risk-based regulator of work-place pensions. I wish all at the regulator well for the future.”

Announcing the change, Tony Hobman, chief executive of the Pensions Regulator said: “I am delighted to be able to confirm Bill Galvin's appointment as executive director. Bill brings with him a wealth of public and private sector skills and expertise; his experience will be invaluable as we develop and pursue our long-term strategic goals.

“I would also like to thank Chris Dobson for his substantial contribution to the regulator over the past six months. All at the regulator wish him the very best.”

Editor's notes

1. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has appointed Bill Galvin to the Board of the Pensions Regulator with effect from 13 October 2008.

2. Bill Galvin joins the Pensions Regulator from the Department for Work and Pensions on secondment for a period of three years.

3. Chris Dobson joined the regulator in April 2008 on a six-month secondment from the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority where he was Director of Corporate Development; responsible for helping to set up the organisation and communications and marketing activity, as well as designing funding, investment and annuitisation strategies for the planned personal accounts scheme.

Chris's previous posts include head of the secretariat to the Pensions Commission, which recommended wide-ranging changes to UK pensions. He is a senior civil servant and holds degrees in economics, finance and business.

4. Bill Galvin is currently deputy director in the Department for Work and Pensions, where he leads on pensions protection policy. Bill also works closely with the pensions industry and bodies such as the Pensions Regulator and the PPF. In this role, he has delivered policy changes ranging from higher assistance levels for members of failed occupational pensions to increased powers for the Pensions Regulator.

Prior to joining DWP, Bill worked as a strategy consultant at IBM Consulting and in strategy and marketing for IBM Global Services.
 
More recently, Bill led IBM's strategic marketing efforts in Northern Europe – leading on some key initiatives in IBM's transformation to a services company. As Market Management Lead for Europe North, and as Global Technology Services Strategic Marketing Manager (UK, Ireland and South Africa), Bill led teams to transform IBM's go-to-market, creating channels to market across organisational silos, focusing on growth markets and sectors.

Prior to joining IBM, Bill completed an MBA at Manchester Business School, and has work and consulting experience in pharmaceuticals, banking and publishing.