The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has appointed Nikhil Rathi as its new permanent chief executive, replacing the regulator’s interim boss, Christopher Woolard.

Rathi, who is expected to take up the role in the autumn, is currently the chief executive of London Stock Exchange plc (LSE) and has previously served as HM Treasury financial services group director from September 2009 to April 2014.

In this role, he led the Treasury’s work on the UK’s EU and international financial services interests.

It has been agreed that Rathi will have no remaining interests in LSE Group shares when he joins the FCA, while he will also not be involved in supervisory or enforcement decisions relating to the LSE Group until 22 June 2021.

Rathi commented: “I am honoured to be appointed chief executive of the FCA. I look forward to building on the strong legacy of Andrew Bailey and the exceptional leadership of Christopher Woolard and the FCA executive team during the crisis. FCA colleagues can be very proud of their achievements in supporting consumers and the economy in all parts of the UK in recent months.

“In the years ahead, we will create together an even more diverse organisation, supporting the recovery with a special focus on vulnerable consumers, embracing new technology, playing our part in tackling climate change, enforcing high standards and ensuring the UK is a thought leader in international regulatory discussions.”

FCA chair, Charles Randell, said: “I warmly welcome Nikhil to the FCA. I look forward to working with him as he leads the FCA to deliver the next phase of its mission.

"Nikhil has been closely involved in guiding the FCA’s development through his roles on our practitioner panel and markets practitioner panel, and brings both private sector management skills and experience of domestic and international regulatory policymaking.

“I would also like to thank Christopher Woolard for steering the FCA through its initial response to Covid-19 with great energy and skill. He has been an exemplary leader in this very difficult period.”

Woolard stepped into the interim chief executive role in March following a January announcement that he would take the place of Andrew Bailey, who left the top job to become governor of the Bank of England.

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