Notes to editors

1. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) established the independent Financial Services Consumer Panel in December 1998 to advise its Board on the interests and concerns of consumers and to report on the FSA’s performance in meeting its objectives. Following the commencement (on 18 June 2001) of certain sections of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, the Consumer Panel now has statutory status. The FSA must consider its representations and, if it disagrees with a view expressed or proposal made in the representation, it must give the Panel a statement in writing of its reasons for disagreeing.

2. The Consumer Panel brings together a wide range of relevant experience. This includes financial services regulation, working with vulnerable consumers, consumer protection, consumer education, front-line money advice, legal expertise, competition policy, public policy analysis, market research and media.

3. There are currently twelve members of the Panel as listed below:-
Colin Brown (Chairman)
Ann Foster (Vice Chairman)
John Howard
Vinod Kumar
Jean Gaffin
Nick Pearson
Yvonne Gallacher
Richard Smethurst
Harriet Hall
Jane Vass
Dianne Hayter
Dave Watts

Enquiries
Media: 020 7066 0902
Publications: 020 7066 3298

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