Pat Shea has retired and stepped down from the board of Criterion, the industry body responsible for integration standards across the UK protection, pensions and investment markets.
Mr Shea served as chair for seven years, including during its evolution into an independent organisation.
He will be succeeded by current managing director Billy Burnside, with a search for a new managing director already underway.
Criterion works with platforms, providers, advisers and technology firms to develop common standards for how data and business processes are exchanged across the industry.
Its standards underpin a range of adviser and platform interactions, including platform account opening, protection quotes, remuneration statements, real-time valuations, letters of authority and pension and investment transfers
The organisation also co-manages STAR, the industry programme promoting transparency and performance improvements in pension and investment transfers.
Mr Burnside said: “As chair, I’ll focus on supporting Criterion’s direction and helping the organisation build on its strong foundations. Digital connectivity, automation and new ways of using data are reshaping pensions and investments. That makes trusted standards more important than ever.
“Criterion has an important role to play in helping advice firms, platforms and tech suppliers work together effectively, and I look forward to supporting its next phase.”
The changes are part of a planned leadership transition.
Peter Glancy, a non-executive director of Criterion, said: “The board would like to thank Pat and Billy for their contribution to Criterion over the past seven years.
"Their leadership has helped shape the organisation we are today and put strong foundations in place for the future. We wish Pat all the very best for his retirement and welcome Billy’s continued support of Criterion as chair.”