Chris Pond Appointed As Director Of Financial Capability For The UK Financial Services Authority

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has appointed Chris Pond, currently Chief Executive for the National Council of One Parent Families, as Director of Financial Capability. This is a new position within the FSA and reflects the growing importance of the National Strategy for Financial Capability.

Chris takes up his post in December, and will bring a wealth of experience to the FSA. Between 1997 and 2005 he was the MP for Gravesham; between 2003-2005 he was a Minister at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP); and prior to this was the Chair of the Low Pay Unit. In recent years, Chris has served on the FSA's Working Group on Families and the Steering Group on Financial Capability. He is also part of the Thoresen Review Reference Group.

Hector Sants, Chief Executive of the FSA, said:

"I am delighted to welcome Chris to the FSA. He is already involved in our work on financial capability through his membership of the FSA's Financial Capability Steering Group and his experience in public policy will make him a great asset to the FSA."

Chris Pond said:

"This is an exciting time to be joining the FSA. The National Strategy for Financial Capability is growing in momentum and profile. There are many challenges ahead; the FSA has demonstrated its commitment to the strategy by the £17.1 million spend this year, and the pledge to keep financial capability high on the agenda with a budget of up to £20million in each of the years up to 2010/11."