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FSA/PN/090/2005
16 August 2005

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

FSA Chairman, Callum McCarthy, said:

"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."

John Howard

John 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. 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.

Notes for editors

1. John Howard takes over as Chairman of the Consumer Panel from 1 October 2005, for a 3 year term to 30 September 2008. The full membership of the Panel from 1 October 2005 will be John Howard, Dianne Hayter, Caroline Gardner, Harriet Hall, Tony Hetherington, Stephen Locke, Nick Lord, David Metz, Adam Phillips, Paul Salvidge, Robert Skinner, Carol Stewart and Richard Taylor. Biographical details can be found on the Panel's website.
2. The Financial Services Consumer Panel was established in December 1998, by the Financial Services Authority under the Financial Services and Markets Act to represent the interest of consumers and is independent of the FSA. The FSA Board appoints Panel members, with the Treasury's approval in the case of the Chairman. The Chairman was recruited through newspaper advertisng and open competition.
3. The Consumer Panel receives an annual budget and staff support from the FSA but is independent of the FSA in its views.
4. The FSA regulates the financial services industry and has four objectives under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000: maintaining market confidence; promoting public understanding of the financial system; securing the appropriate degree of protection for consumers; and fighting financial crime.
5. The FSA aims to promote efficient, orderly and fair markets, help retail consumers achieve a fair deal and improve its business capability and effectiveness.