The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has made two permanent additions to its executive leadership team.
The regulator appointed Simon Walls as markets executive director and Johan Sekora as chief operating officer (COO).
Walls assumed this role on a temporary basis in 2024.
The FCA expects Walls to continue work already under way to tighten its approach to wholesale market oversight and support a stronger financial system by “rebalancing risk and supporting growth”.
Walls joined the FCA in 2006 and has since worked across senior wholesale markets roles spanning policy, asset management and supervision of banks.
Commenting on his appointment, Walls said: “Britain’s financial markets have been defined for centuries by innovation, openness and integrity.
“I am delighted to lead such a committed and professional team at the FCA as we deliver our ambitious markets work to further these traditions.”
Sekora is set to start as COO at the beginning of next month, relocating from Stockholm, Sweden.
The FCA said Sekora brings more than 25 years of financial services experience and will be central to delivering its strategy to become a “smarter, more effective regulator”.
His background includes work focused on speeding up the use of data and AI to respond to new and developing risks.
Sekora said: “I very much look forward to joining the FCA team.
“As the leading and largest European regulator, the FCA leads from the front in many regulated areas by protecting customers, driving smarter regulation, and combatting financial crime through collaboration and the use of AI.”
The FCA said the appointments were made at a “pivotal time” for UK and international financial markets.
FCA CEO Nikhil Rathi said: “A strong leadership team is a crucial part of us being the smarter regulator we aspire to be.
“Simon’s appointment provides continuity as we continue to reform our wholesale markets, while Johan brings significant international experience that will help us operate more efficiently and effectively in the interests of consumers, markets and the wider economy.”
