Stephanie Cohen will be the FCA’s chief operating officer (COO) while Jessica Rusu will join the FCA’s as its first chief data, information and intelligence officer (CDIIO). Sarah Pritchard will become executive director, markets and Emily Shepperd will take up the newly created role of executive director, authorisations.

The FCA has also appointed Clare Cole as director of market oversight and as part of that role she will lead the FCA’s response to Lord Hill’s forthcoming Listings Review.

As part of its transformation programme to build a data-led regulator able to make fast and effective decisions, the FCA announced a restructure in December. This brought together two supervision divisions with the FCA’s policy and competition functions.

Stephanie, Jessica, Sarah and Emily will sit on the FCA’s Executive Committee, its most senior executive decision-making body.

They will join Nikhil Rathi, Chief Executive; Mark Steward, Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight; Megan Butler, Executive Director of Transformation; Nausicaa Delfas, Executive Director of International; Sheldon Mills, Executive Director, Consumer and Competition; Sheree Howard, Executive Director, Risk and Compliance Oversight; and Sean Martin, General Counsel.

Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA, said: “I am delighted to be welcoming Stephanie, Jessica, Sarah and Emily into the FCA to be part of our executive leadership team. They bring with them a deep understanding of the consumers we seek to protect, the markets we oversee, and all have track records for operational excellence.

“As we continue transforming the FCA - building a data-led regulator - their global experience and leadership, drawn from a variety of backgrounds, will be vital in ensuring we can act more quickly to reduce harm to consumers and ensure market integrity.

“I also congratulate Clare on her appointment as Director of Market Oversight, a role she takes on at an important time for UK markets as the FCA takes forward the work of Lord Hill’s Listings Review.”

Stephanie Cohen commented: “I am truly delighted to be joining the FCA at this pivotal moment. Now more than ever, the FCA has a vital role to play in protecting the interests of consumers, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Jessica Rusu added: “I am excited to join the FCA at this time of great transformation to leverage technology and data science to deliver innovation and excellence in regulation, to protect UK customers and help build a robust financial system. I look forward to the FCA continuing to lead in global regulatory innovation.”

Sarah Pritchard said: “I look forward to working with Sheldon and all FCA colleagues to shape the future of financial markets regulation, ensuring that the FCA protects and enhances the integrity of the UK and global financial system.“

Emily Shepperd added: “I am excited to be joining the FCA at such a crucial time for financial services in the UK. I look forward to helping ensure both UK markets and consumers are protected.”