FCA Announces New Appointments to Executive Team

WHY THIS MATTERS: The FCA’s latest executive appointments signal a definitive shift in how the UK regulator intends to navigate the “Agentic Age” of finance. By bringing in leadership with deep expertise in industry collaboration and the deployment of artificial intelligence to combat financial crime, the FCA is aligning its operational backbone with its ambition to become a “smarter, more effective regulator”. This move is particularly significant as the industry reaches an inflection point where instant, irreversible payments require real-time, automated verification and risk assessment. As the global regulatory landscape grows more complex with mandates like DORA and the incoming SEPA Instant deadlines, the FCA’s focus on tech-led oversight and market resilience is a strategic necessity. For financial institutions, this indicates that the era of periodic compliance is ending, replaced by a mandate for continuous, data-driven control and integrity within the UK’s world-leading financial markets.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced 2 permanent appointments to its executive team, strengthening leadership at a pivotal time for UK and global financial markets. 

Simon Walls appointed executive director, markets 

Simon Walls has been appointed permanent executive director, markets. Having taken on this role on a temporary basis since 2024, his appointment provides continuity at a vital and volatile time for the UK and global economy. Simon will be able to drive forward work he has already started to strengthen our approach on wholesale markets and to ensure a more resilient financial system by rebalancing risk and supporting growth.    

Simon joined the FCA in 2006 and has held senior roles across wholesale markets, including policy, asset management and banking supervision. He played a key role in navigating significant events affecting markets, including the LIBOR (the London Interbank Offered Rate) transition and the UK’s exit from the EU.  

Simon Walls said: “Britain’s financial markets have been defined for centuries by innovation, openness and integrity. I’m delighted to lead such a committed and professional team at the FCA as we deliver our ambitious markets work to further these traditions. In partnership with government and industry, we are building momentum – ensuring great outcomes for domestic and international users of markets.” 

Johan Sekora to join as chief operating officer 

Johan Sekora has been appointed as chief operating officer, relocating from Stockholm, to take up the role at the start of June. Johan will play a central role in supporting the FCA’s strategy and ambition to be a smarter, more effective regulator. Johan brings over 25 years’ experience in financial services.  

A leading European voice on the importance of industry collaboration and the use of technology to tackle financial crime, Johan has worked extensively on accelerating the use of data and artificial intelligence to address emerging risks. 

Johan 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.” 

Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA 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.” 

FF NEWS TAKE: The FCA is effectively moving the needle from observing innovation to engineering its own operational response. By embedding technological fluency at the executive level, the regulator is acknowledging that traditional oversight cannot keep pace with 24/7 digital markets. This sets a high bar for the industry’s governance agenda; expect a much more “hawkish” approach to market integrity where firms must match the regulator’s own digital capability or risk falling behind.