Financial Services Consumer Panel

FCA Financial Services Consumer Panel

Vacancies for Panel Members

Help shape the future of financial services regulation in the UK. We are seeking experienced individuals who can bring an independent consumer perspective and provide robust challenge to the FCA's most significant policy and regulatory decisions to join the Financial Services Consumer Panel (the Panel).

About the FCA

The Financial Conduct Authority is the conduct regulator for nearly 42,000 financial services firms and financial markets in the UK and the prudential supervisor for 41,000 firms, setting specific standards for 17,000 firms.

The FCA's strategic objective is to make sure relevant markets function well and has outlined how it will achieve this in its 5-year strategy. Its operational objectives are to protect consumers, protect the integrity of the UK financial system and to promote effective competition in the interests of consumers. It also has a secondary objective to facilitate the international competitiveness and growth of the UK economy in the medium to long term.

The role of the Panel

The Panel is established under statute and is independent of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). It represents the interests of consumers of financial services (including small business consumers) to the FCA. Its vision is for financial services markets to work well for consumers. Its role is to ensure that the consumer interest is considered as part of the FCA's policy development and implementation.

Panel members offer constructive advice and challenge to help the FCA deliver its strategic and operational objectives throughout the policy cycle. They engage directly with the FCA at all levels, including the Chair, CEO and Executive Committee, to help shape the regulator's policies, rules and responses to emerging issues that affect financial services consumers and small businesses. Through this work, Panel members have a genuine opportunity to influence regulatory thinking and improve outcomes for consumers across the UK.

The Panel is supported by a Secretariat provided by the FCA.

Membership of the Panel is made by individual appointment. Panel members do not represent any one organisation or business.

Further details about the Panel's work and its current membership can be found on the Panel's website.

The FCA is looking to appoint three new members to replace outgoing Panel members.

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate significant expertise and a demonstrable track record of contributing to consumer, policy or financial services issues in one or more of the following areas:

• Mortgages and Consumer Finance
• Retail Investments
• Retail Insurance

We are particularly interested in hearing from current or former senior leaders, subject matter experts, academics, consumer advocates, policy specialists and professionals who have influenced decision-making at a strategic level. Relevant expertise may have been gained through professional practice, research, advocacy, entrepreneurship, public policy, lived experience or work with consumers and communities.

We are particularly keen to hear from applicants from the Devolved Nations to ensure the Panel benefits from a broad range of perspectives on how financial services policy affects consumers across all parts of the UK. We value insight into how financial services interact with devolved public services, consumer support systems and local economic conditions.

Most Panel activity can be undertaken remotely, enabling individuals from all parts of the UK to participate fully.

The roles require a strong and demonstrable affinity with the interests and concerns of consumers from across all socio-economic and demographic backgrounds and small businesses, and the ability to analyse new initiatives and policy across the breadth of the FCA's activities from the consumer perspective.

Candidates do not need to have followed a single traditional career path: we welcome applications from people who can demonstrate credible insight, judgement and the ability to contribute constructively to strategic policy discussions.

In addition, they should be able to demonstrate:

• A strong interest in, or track record of representing the interests of consumers from across society, including those with vulnerable characteristics.
• Demonstrable experience of contributing to policy, consumer advocacy, research, financial services and related public interest issues, with a track record of providing advice, evidence and constructive challenge to senior decision-makers.
• A sound understanding of the FCA's role and objectives and the impact of FCA policy and regulation on financial services and, by extension, on consumers, and the ability to quickly grasp a wide range of complex financial issues.
• Self-motivated and able to independently manage and prioritise their workload and time effectively.
• Strong analytical and drafting skills and the ability to engage, collaborate and communicate effectively with FCA and other stakeholders at all…