Bank Of England Appoints General Counsel

The Bank of England is pleased to announce the appointment of Sonya Branch to the role of General Counsel.  Sonya will take over from Graham Nicholson, who retires at the end of April.

Sonya joins the Bank from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), where she was Executive Director of Enforcement and a member of the Board.  Sonya will assume her post in mid May.

Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England said: “I am delighted that Sonya Branch is joining the Bank. Sonya brings excellent judgement, versatility, a commitment to public service, as well as extensive private sector experience. All of the Bank’s senior management team are looking forward to working closely with her."

Background

1. The General Counsel is the Executive Director for the Legal Directorate, which is responsible for providing legal advice to both the Bank and its subsidiary, the Prudential Regulation Authority. The role previously carried the title “Chief Legal Adviser”.

2. Graham Nicholson announced his retirement in September 2014.

3. Sonya had previously been an Executive Director of Enforcement and Mergers, and Board member, at the Office of Fair Trading until its merger with the Competition Commission to form the CMA in April 2014.

4. The role was advertised internally and externally with the assistance of executive search firm Hedley May. Short-listed candidates were interviewed by a Bank of England panel with Deputy Governors and an Independent Director of the PRA. Final interviews were held with the Governor, and the final selection was submitted to the Bank’s Court for approval.