Antony Townsend to be new Complaints Commissioner
25 Apr 2014 04:43 PM
The Bank of England and the Financial Conduct
Authority (FCA) have announced the appointment of Antony Townsend as Complaints
Commissioner
The
Commissioner is responsible for the conduct of the final stage of
investigations into complaints in connection with how the FCA and the Bank,
exercise, or fail to exercise, their relevant functions and the role is
independent from these organisations.
The
term of office of the current Commissioner, Sir Anthony Holland, comes to an
end on the 30 April and Antony Townsend will take up his new role on the
1 May.
Andrew Bailey, Deputy Governor of the Bank of England
for Prudential Regulation, said:
“Independent challenge and scrutiny is crucially
important for the health of the regulatory system. We are pleased that Antony
has been appointed as Complaints Commissioner and value the impartial judgement
he will bring to the role.”
Martin Wheatley, Chief Executive of the FCA
said:
“The role of the Commissioner is an important one
and I welcome Antony to the role. I look forward to working with the new
Commissioner going forward to ensure that the system works for those who feel
they have been treated unfairly by the regulators.”
Antony Townsend said:
“I’m delighted to be taking up this role. It
is essential that people can have confidence in how the regulation of financial
services is undertaken. I want to continue the work of Sir Anthony Holland in
ensuring and demonstrating that serious complaints are fully investigated and a
fair outcome achieved.”
Prior to his appointment as Complaints Commissioner
Antony Townsend was the first Chief Executive of the Solicitors Regulation
Authority, and is currently Chair of the UK and Ireland Regulatory Board of the
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Antony began his career at the Home
Office before becoming Director of Education and Standards at the General
Medical Council. He joined the Solicitors Regulation Authority in 2006 from the
General Dental Council, where he was Chief Executive.
Notes for editors
- On
1 April 2013 the FCA became responsible for the conduct supervision of all
regulated financial firms and the prudential supervision of those not
supervised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).
- The
FCA has an overarching strategic objective of ensuring the relevant markets
function well. To support this it has three operational objectives: to secure
an appropriate degree of protection for consumers; to protect and enhance the
integrity of the UK financial system; and to promote effective competition in
the interests of consumers.
- Find out more information about the FCA.