He represents the mortgage advice sector at the smaller business panel
Mortgage and insurance network Stonebridge has announced the appointment of its chief executive, Rob Clifford (pictured), to the smaller business practitioner panel of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Clifford’s appointment for an initial three-year term was formally approved by the FCA board before Christmas.
All members of the panel are senior level representatives from each of the major regulated sectors, who join in a personal capacity rather than representing a particular firm. Clifford represents the mortgage advice sector.
According to the FCA, members of the panel are recruited through open competition and following a thorough due diligence process.
The smaller business practitioner panel is an independent statutory body established to represent the interests of practitioners of firms of small or medium size within their sector across the range of regulated activities as regulated by the FCA. It is responsible for providing input to the FCA from the industry to help it in meeting its strategic and operational objectives from a smaller business standpoint.
“Having served the mortgage industry as both a founding director of the Mortgage Code Compliance Board and as a deputy chairman at AMI, I was really keen to continue to be an advocate for mortgage advice businesses in a formal capacity,” Clifford said.
“Given the cost-of-living pressures facing both our customers and threatening the survival of some smaller mortgage advice businesses, not to mention the significant regulatory burden facing firms due to the Consumer Duty and AR Regime changes, I am pleased to have been appointed to the panel at such a critical time.
“I look forward to doing my bit to help the FCA meet its strategic objectives and consistently remind the FCA about the impact of regulation on smaller firms such as mortgage advisers.”
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