The UK Civil Aviation Authority has appointed Paul Smith as consumers and markets director following an ‘extensive’ recruitment process.
He joins from the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), where he has been the head of policy since January 2016.
He also served as chief executive of the Australian Energy Market Commission and held senior positions with the UK’s energy regulator, Ofgem, and its postal service regulator, Postcomm (now Ofcom).
He will take up his new post next month and will head up the CAA’s economic regulation, competition, consumer protection and consumer enforcement activity.
He replaces Richard Moriarty, who is currently CAA deputy chief executive and will become chief executive on June 1.
Moriarty said: "Paul joins us at an important time and will lead our work on the new Heathrow runway, the licensing of UK airlines and tour operators, and enforcing consumer rights."
Smith added: "There is no doubt that the coming years in aviation will be both challenging and rewarding and I’m very much looking forward to joining the CAA and to working across a hugely diverse range of issues.
"It is a very exciting time to be joining the aviation regulator as it proactively addresses numerous issues and opportunities and I am incredibly enthusiastic about joining the team and helping the organisation progress in the years ahead."
