Following agreement of the European Parliament (EP), Ms Verena Ross was confirmed today as ESMA’sfirst Executive Director. The approval by the EP follows an open hearing on 17 March for the three nominees for Executive Director of the new European Supervisory Agencies (the ESAs) for markets (ESMA), banking (EBA) and occupational pensions (EIOPA) respectively. Verena Ross was nominated as Executive Director by the ESMA Board of Supervisors on 22 February, subject to the EP confirmation process.
ESMA welcomes today the EP’s decision to confirm Verena Ross as ESMA Executive Director.
Following the EP’s approval, Verena Ross, Executive Director of ESMA, said:“I would like to express my thanks to the Members of the European Parliament for their approval and the trust they have shown in me. I am both humbled and delighted to be given this opportunity to serveEurope. Together with ESMA’s Chairman, Steven Maijoor, I will work to ensure ESMA develops into a strong, independent, transparent and efficiently managed body that develops a level playing field for financial services providers across Europe, and enables Europe’s retail investors to enjoy consistent levels of protection, wherever they are based. I am looking forward to working closely with my colleagues in ESMA and on the Board of Supervisors, as well as the other parts of the new European supervisory architecture, in creating effective and stable financial markets which achieve the best outcomes for Europe’s citizens.”
In January, the Board of Supervisors of ESMA elected Steven Maijoor as ESMA’s first Chairman and Carlos Tavares as Vice-Chairman. Mr Maijoor’s appointment was confirmed by the European Parliament in February; he will take office on 1 April 2011. With today’s confirmation of Verena Ross by the EP, ESMA’s top management is completed. The starting date for Ms Ross is to be confirmed shortly.