Alison Potter has been appointed Chair of the Decisions Committees for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR).
In her role, Potter will lead the Regulatory Decisions Committee (RDC) of the FCA and the Enforcement Decisions Committee (EDC) of the PSR, both of which are tasked with making specific regulatory decisions for the UK regulators.
The RDC makes contested enforcement decisions independently, acting as the final stage of decision-making within the FCA but is not an appellate body or court. Meanwhile, the EDC is part of the PSR Board and handles regulatory enforcement decisions when settlements cannot be reached.
Bernadette Conroy, FCA Non-Executive Director and Chair of the FCA’s Risk Committee, commented: “I am delighted to welcome our new RDC and EDC chair. Alison brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience, including her experience of financial services and decision-making, which will enhance the capability and effectiveness of the RDC and EDC.”
Potter has over 30 years of experience as a barrister in commercial law, focusing on financial services and regulatory matters. She has represented various institutions and regulators, served as a senior decision maker for the Guernsey Financial Services Commission since 2018, and has mediated disputes for over 10 years.
In addition, she has held roles such as Chair of Clifton College and Trustee for the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the Bath Preservation Trust, along with being a Councillor for Bath and North East Somerset.
This appointment comes as Tim Parkes prepares to step down later this year. Potter officially took over last Friday (1 November) and will have a brief transition period alongside Parkes.
Commenting on Parkes’ tenure, Conroy said: “Tim Parkes has provided almost nine years of outstanding leadership and service as RDC and EDC chair, and I would like to thank him for his commitment and dedication to the important work of the committees.”
