Regulations
By Bruce Buterin
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Sekora Arrives From Stockholm With a Financial Crime Focus. Johan Sekora starts in June. He's relocating from Stockholm, which isn't a small ask, and he…
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Nikhil Rathi's Pitch for a Smarter Regulator. FCA Chief Executive Nikhil Rathi tied the two appointments together directly, saying they're…
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The FCA just made two big calls. Simon Walls gets the permanent executive director of markets job, and Johan Sekora comes in as chief operating officer — both moves aimed at…
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Walls isn't exactly a new face. He's been holding the markets role on a temporary basis since 2024, so making it permanent is basically a bet on continuity.
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Walls, for his part, said Britain's financial markets have a long-standing reputation for innovation and integrity, and he's enthusiastic about pushing those traditions forward…
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Johan Sekora starts in June. He's relocating from Stockholm, which isn't a small ask, and he brings more than 25 years of financial services experience with him.
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And before SEB, Sekora spent roughly two decades at HSBC, where he held the global chief operating officer role for regulatory compliance. Two decades.
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The FCA clearly wants someone who can push technology into the fight against financial crime. Sekora fits that profile.
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More context: UK Regulators Warn Crypto and Finance Firms: AI Cyber Threats Are Here Now
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FCA Chief Executive Nikhil Rathi tied the two appointments together directly, saying they're central to the FCA's strategy of becoming a smarter regulator.
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It's worth noting the FCA isn't operating in a vacuum. Wholesale markets reform is a live project. The pressure to stay competitive with other financial centers hasn't eased.
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Walls brings the institutional memory and the wholesale markets expertise. Sekora brings the operational muscle and the financial crime credentials.
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No start date was given for Walls' permanent appointment — he was already in the seat, so presumably the transition is seamless.
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Related: Datavault AI Doubles Down on Tokenization as Losses Widen and Rules Stay Murky
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The FCA didn't specify what immediate policy changes, if any, come attached to either appointment.
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