SWITZERLAND - The Swiss government has named the director of its new federal pension supervisory body, following the appointment of former liberal party MP Pierre Triponez as its president.

As part of structural reforms to the Swiss regulatory system, the new supervisory body - dubbed the Oberaufsichtskommission (OAK) - will assume responsibility for national oversight at the beginning of next year, with Manfred Hüsler named as the organisation's first director.

Hüsler, 50, studied law at Bern University and has spent a number of years working at the country's insurance supervisory body BPV, where he was eventually named vice-president.

Two years ago, Hüsler was named a member of the management board at FINMA, Switzerland's financial market authority.

He was also a member of the commission in charge of the structural reforms, with Christoph Ryter, president of the country's pension fund association ASIP, stressing this meant Hüsler was familiar with the task ahead.

He said that ASIP remained in favour of federal oversight, in addition to cantonal supervision, for pension funds.

"We were always outspoken supporters of this particular goal of the structural reform and thought it a good idea - the decentralised, regional oversight combined with the Oberaufsichtskommission controlling the decentralised oversight," Ryter said.

He added that he was pleased to see Triponez abiding by the previously announced timetable and said he expected the remaining members of the OAK's supervisory board would be announced soon.

Speaking of Hüsler, Ryter said: "Once he has assumed his post, I am sure we will be in touch and look forward to working with him."

The reforms have proven controversial in the past, with industry heavyweights previously criticising the importance granted auditors under the structural reforms. 

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