The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has announced that Richard Butcher will become its new chair. 

He will succeed Lesley Williams whose two-year tenure ends at the PLSA Annual Conference in Manchester on 20 October 2017.

With a career that spans more than 30 years in the pensions industry, Butcher is currently the managing director of PTL – a provider of independent governance services – as well as a professional independent trustee.

Butcher said: “I am proud and humbled to be appointed as chair of the PLSA and to succeed Lesley Williams. Lesley is a great chair and a champion of the pensions industry.

“Looking to the future, I intend to build on the hard work of the association members, the councils and committees and the executive of the PLSA to ensure that we continue to inform the debate and represent the views and interests of our members.”

Lesley Williams, current chair of the PLSA, added: “It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to act as Chair for the PLSA and I am very pleased to hand over this unique role to someone of Richard’s experience and calibre.

“Richard and I have worked closely together on the board of the PLSA for some years now and I know his knowledge and insight will be a considerable asset to the organisation.  He will be invaluable as the PLSA continues to push for market innovation and works to ensure that members’ views are well represented in Whitehall and Westminster.”