Institute of Regulation appoints first Chief Executive
Today, 26 October 2026, the Institute of Regulation announces the appointment of its first Chief Executive Officer, Martin Fletcher, who will take up post in January 2027.
The Institute of Regulation is the UK’s leading professional body for regulators, established in 2021 to promote excellence in regulatory practice through training, events, conferences, podcasts and collaboration. It supports regulators on key issues including risk management, enforcement, communications, and the use of data and AI.
With more than 80 regulator members, strong international links, and a growing reputation as a trusted voice on regulatory policy and practice, the Institute is now welcoming its first Chief Executive to lead the next phase of growth and influence.
In appointing Martin Fletcher, the Institute will have a high-quality, experienced regulatory leader with an international reputation in professional regulation, regulatory reform and organisational leadership. He has led national regulatory systems and advised governments and regulators worldwide, building adaptive regulatory systems that both protect the public and enable growth and innovation. Martin has a track record of advancing regulation as a profession and strengthening regulatory capability and performance.
In addition to other roles, Martin has been the CEO of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, the statutory body responsible for regulating over 900,000 health practitioners across 16 medical and health professions. He was previously the CEO of the National Patient Safety Agency in England and Wales. Martin is on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities, and an advisor to the World Health Organisation on improving the regulation of the health workforce. He has also published articles on health practitioner regulation in the Journal of Medical Regulation and Bulletin of the World Health Organization.
In making the appointment, Institute of Regulation Chair, Marcial Boo, said:
“For over five years, the Institute of Regulation has shown its value as a professional membership community for regulators across the UK and Ireland. We have supported tens of thousands of people working in and with regulators to improve their work and to help improve regulation in the UK and beyond.
“I am delighted that, with over 80 regulator members, the Institute can now appoint its first Chief Executive, and that we have attracted a highly experienced leader in Martin Fletcher. With Martin in post, the Institute will provide even greater benefits to members and contribute to important policy discussions on how regulation can support economic growth and innovation while protecting consumers and service users where necessary. The Institute can also shape debate on regulatory reform and on new challenges including in relation to the regulation of AI.” ”
In accepting the appointment, Martin Fletcher said:
“I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as the first CEO of the institute of Regulation. I firmly believe in the value of bringing regulators together to work on common challenges and I am excited to work with the Institute’s flourishing network of diverse regulators across the UK and its growing international community.
At a time when regulators must navigate fast-moving and increasingly complex environments, the work of the Institute in convening regulators, fostering connections and sharing learning and expertise has never been more vital.
I look forward to building on these strong foundations to ensure that the Institute continues to grow as the authoritative professional home for regulators, strengthening partnerships to improve regulatory practice in the UK and beyond and helping to shape the future of effective regulation and regulatory reform.”
Notes to Editors
The Institute of Regulation was created in 2021 as a membership organisation and charitable not-for-profit company, registered with Companies House (13628098), with the following objectives:
To promote and provide education and training in the theory and practice of regulation.
To research, develop and promote good practice in regulation.
The Institute is now a thriving sector‑wide regulatory professional and expert community with almost 100 regulator and affiliate members based in the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, and beyond, and a membership network of over 1,600 regulatory experts. The Institute runs events, training, conferences, podcasts and networking, and provides advice on regulation to policymakers and others.
The Institute’s website is at: www.ioregulation.org
For more information, contact the Institute’s Chief Operating Officer, Sinéad Whelan, at operations@ioregulation.org
The profiles of Martin Fletcher and Marcial Boo are on LinkedIn: