A former chairman of the Financial Conduct Authority's financial services consumer panel has joined a body campaigning for more transparency in financial services.
John Howard has been appointed founding chairman of the Transparency Task Force’s (TTF) new advisory board where he will help make sure the financial services sector benefits society as a whole and that it achieves this through transparency, truthfulness and trustworthiness, that it acts with due diligence and that it drives positive change.
Andy Agathangelou, founding chairman of the Transparency Task Force, said: "It is important that we assemble a great team and all great teams need a great leader. All those who know John Howard will immediately understand why he is the perfect person to take on such an important role for us.
"He has had an authentic, high-profile, pro-consumer world view for decades. We are honoured that John wants to help lead us forward."
Aside from his new position with the TTF, John Howard is vice-chairman of the Family Building Society and sits on the with-profits committee and the independent governance committee of Scottish Widows.
He is also a trustee of the Thalidomide Trust and director of Consumer Insights, a company he founded that advises on principles-based regulation and fairness in the financial and utility sectors.
Mr Howard was chairman of the FCA’s financial services consumer panel for three years to 2008, and was an award-winning BBC broadcaster, including a 14 year stint on daily magazine programme You and Yours.
He said: "There can be no doubt that the financial ecosystem is profoundly important to the wellbeing of society, the global economy and political stability; so it has always been obvious to me that consumers must get treated fairly.
"The Transparency Task Force has got off to a very good start and I am pleased to have the opportunity to help take it to the next level.
"We are going to be busy recruiting members for the advisory board and I’m pleased to say there is healthy interest in this development, with many people volunteering to help the Transparency Task Force realise its full potential as a force for good. Anybody interested in helping should get in touch."
Scott Gallacher, partner at Rowley Turton, said: "The Transparency Task Force has gone under the radar to an extent so the appointment of John Howard to lead the new advisory board is to be welcomed.
"His track record and reputation both within the industry and among the public speaks for itself, and suggests he is the right person to ensure its strategies are implemented successfully."
