The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has appointed the chief executive of mortgage and insurance network Stonebridge, Rob Clifford, to its Smaller Business Practitioner Panel.

The panel is an independent, statutory body established in April 2013 and represents “the interests of practitioners of firms of small or medium size within their sector”, across the FCA’s range of regulated activities.

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.

Stonebridge revealed that Clifford’s appointment, for an initial three-year term, was formally approved by the FCA board before Christmas and will represent the mortgage advice sector. 

“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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