Financial services permeate every part of our work and lives, and ensuring that these have the interests of the consumer at their heart is essential. The exciting opportunities, and risks, of fintech and AI; the challenges of fraud and the innovative responses of the sector to protect consumers from it; empowering and informing customers at a time when budgets are often tight: these issues and more characterise a sector that is at a really exciting point in its development.
In this CANVAS we are delighted to talk to two people who sit at the heart of this sector – Richard Lloyd, deputy chair of the FCA and Sonia Brown, Director for UK Regulatory policy and public affairs at Visa Europe – in different ways: in business, and in regulation; as executives, and non-executives.
Richard has other regulatory non-executive roles, and has worked across consumer interest bodies, as well as in policy making throughout his career. We were very interested to talk about how his experience has supported his perspective and approach to the role.
Sonia Brown has an exceptionally broad regulatory career, working for the core regulators such as Ofwat and Ofgem previously. When she joined Visa Europe this was her first role in financial services and within a global business. We really enjoyed talking to her about what she has learned and brought to the role and the importance of considering the consumer in all regulatory developments.
Our own Partner community is what makes us stand out and so we are very happy to introduce our colleague Rhianna Gerry as she shares her personal and professional experience and snapshot insights into the sector.
We do hope you enjoy this edition and welcome any feedback you may have.
