Amerdeep Somal appointed complaints commissioner

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Bank of England have confirmed the appointment of Amerdeep Somal as complaints commissioner.

Responsibilities of the role include overseeing the final stage of investigations into complaints against the FCA, PRA and the Bank of England.

The role is independent from the three organisations.

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As a result of taking on the new position, Somal will step down from her roles as the independent assessor of the Financial Ombudsman Service, a council member on the General Medical Council, and as a senior independent panel member for public appointments at the Cabinet Office.

She will retain her positions as a judge of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal and as chief commissioner at the Data and Marketing Commission.

Somal will replace Antony Townsend on 1 November as complaints commissioner, and will serve an initial three-year term.

Christopher Woolard, interim chief executive of the FCA, said: “Independent scrutiny is vital to the transparency and standards of the UK regulatory system.

“We are pleased to see Somal appointed to the role of complaints commissioner and we look forward to working with her.

“We would also like to thank Antony Townsend for his dedication and commitment over the last six years.

Somal, added: “The complaints commissioner plays a critical role, not only in providing people who are unhappy with the financial regulators with recourse to an independent review but also in helping them focus more widely on where they could improve the experience of all their customers.

“I will ensure these important institutions are held accountable and open to rigorous scrutiny.”