UK’s financial regulator appoints fintech experts to new advisory group

The UK’s financial watchdog has appointed members from across the fintech, regtech and financial services sectors to a newly-established Innovation Advisory Group (IAG).

Following 96 applications, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has chosen seven rotating IAG members, including Ghela Boskovich, head of Europe at the Financial Data and Technology Association (FDATA), Esra Kasapoglu, director of AI and data economy at Innovate UK and Tom Bull, partner and head of fintech growth at Ernst & Young LLP.

Ghela Boskovich, head of Europe at FDATA

The FCA has established the group to provide early input into planned initiatives, as well as bring to its attention key issues or concerns impacting the fintech and regtech sectors.

The IAG will also identify opportunities for innovation in financial services, and collaboration between the industry and the regulator.

The group will convene for the first time this month and, thereafter, will meet at regular intervals throughout the year.

The group’s rotating members will join the IAG for a one-year minimum term and will work alongside a group of trade associations who have been appointed to the IAG as fixed members.

Among the fixed members are Phillip Mind, director of digital technology and innovation at UK Finance, Adam Jackson, Innovate Finance’s director of policy and Jason Boud, co-founder and chief executive officer of RegTech Associates.

In a press statement, the FCA said: “Our selected members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in areas that are closely aligned to the Innovation department’s workplan for 2023, including artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, competition, digital markets, financial inclusion, and sustainability.”