Bryan Zhang, co-founder and executive director of the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School, has been appointed to the board of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Fintech expert Zhang was appointed by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury Bim Afolami, and will take up his role as a non-executive director on 19 February 2024, serving an initial three-year term.
“Ensuring that regulation keeps pace with technological developments is crucial to supporting innovation and competition in the financial services sector, whilst also ensuring that consumers are appropriately protected,” said Afolami.
Read more: FCA cracks down on misleading promotions
“I am therefore delighted with the appointment of Bryan Zhang to the board of the FCA.
“Bryan has demonstrated expertise in technology-driven innovation in financial regulation, which will be of significant benefit to the FCA board.”
FCA chair Ashley Alder said that Zhang has “a wealth of experience working at the forefront of innovation.”
Read more: FCA updates on open banking progress
“I know he will be an important asset to the board and his expertise will help the FCA keep pace with an ever-evolving landscape,” Alder added.
In 2022, Zhang was appointed as chair of a new strategic working group aimed at developing and encouraging uptake of open banking in the UK in a recruitment process led by the FCA and the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR).
Read more: CCAF debuts new tool to track UK fintech influence