BRITAIN's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has established its first-ever international presence with new offices in the US and Asia-Pacific region, the watchdog announced on Tuesday (15).
Former investment banker Tash Miah began working at the British Embassy in Washington DC in April. In her role, Miah will collaborate with the Department for Business and Trade to improve UK-US financial services policy and help American firms navigate British regulations.
Meanwhile, Camille Blackburn will open the FCA's regional office in Australia starting July 2025, serving as the director for Asia-Pacific. Blackburn, who has worked as the FCA's director of wholesale buyside since 2022, brings 25 years of financial services regulation experience, including previous positions at the Central Bank of Ireland, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and Australian Treasury.
The international expansion forms part of the FCA's new strategy for 2025-2030. According to Sarah Pritchard, executive director at the FCA, the move aims to boost the UK economy through increased exports of financial services and more foreign investment.
"The UK is a global hub for financial services," said Pritchard. "We are committed to continuing to build our global network and international reputation. These appointments will help us deliver on our mission to support growth through the export of UK financial services and attracting more inward investment to our shores."
She added that major international investors have expressed interest in easier access to the FCA, and having staff in these key regions will help achieve that goal.
The expansion comes as the FCA faces pressure from Britain's Labour government to promote economic growth. Earlier in March, the watchdog announced it would reassess its approach to financial firms' risk-taking to support economic expansion.
Improving exports and inward investment is listed as one of the FCA's key growth commitments in its letter to the prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
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