FSA Appoints New Consumer Panel Chairman

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

18 August 2005

The UK's Financial Services Authority (FSA) on Tuesday announced that John Howard, a writer and broadcaster, is to take over as Chairman of the statutory Financial Services Consumer Panel from October 1, succeeding Ann Foster, who has been Chairman of the Panel since November 2003.

The Consumer Panel was established by the FSA in December 1998 (under the Financial Services and Markets Act) to represent the interest of consumers. It receives an annual budget and staff support from the FSA, but is independent of the FSA in its views.

FSA Chairman, Callum McCarthy, commented:

"I would like to thank Ann for her dedicated and constructive leadership as Chair of the Consumer Panel since November 2003. She has always represented the Panel effectively and ensured that their views have been listened to, both within the FSA and beyond. I am delighted that John Howard, a long-standing Panel member, is taking over as Chairman. He and the other members will continue to ensure that the Panel acts as a strong, independent consumer voice to the FSA."

Mr Howard is a journalist and broadcaster with extensive experience of consumer issues and financial services, having been the principal presenter of Radio 4's 'You and Yours' programme and numerous other financial programmes on radio and TV. He is also a qualified solicitor.

The FSA stated that:

"John has been a member of the Consumer Panel for over four years, and was a member of the Mortgage Code Compliance Board until its activities were taken over by the FSA in November 2004. John has also been a member of the Council of Energywatch since April 2005."

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