FCA appoints 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.”