The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is strategically expanding its international footprint by appointing new financial services attachés in key global markets: India and the UAE. This move builds upon their existing global network, which already includes attachés stationed in prominent financial hubs such as Washington D.C., Brussels, and Singapore. The primary objective of these attachés is to foster greater international cooperation, facilitate exports from the UK, and attract increased investment into the British financial sector.
The newly appointed Financial Services Attaché for India is Sabina Saini, who will operate from the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai. Ms. Saini brings to this role nearly two decades of extensive experience across various facets of financial regulation, auditing, and banking, with a particular focus on prudential supervision and risk management. Prior to her appointment at the FCA in 2024, she dedicated over eight years to the Bank of England, where she held diverse responsibilities in resolution policy, supervision, and audit. Her new role officially commenced on August 10th.
For the UAE, Darine Obeid has been named the Financial Services Attaché, and will be based at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Ms. Obeid boasts a distinguished career spanning over a decade at the FCA, specializing in supervision across retail banking, wholesale banking, and fintech. Her previous work involved leading significant engagements in critical areas such as financial crime, operational resilience, artificial intelligence, and ensuring positive customer outcomes. She is set to begin her new assignment on August 31st.
Ruairí O’Connell, the Director for International Affairs at the FCA, underscored the importance of these appointments, stating that the new attachés in India and the UAE will be instrumental in advancing the UK’s interests in financial services policy and actively driving investment into the UK’s open market. He emphasized that the FCA’s expansive global network is crucial for achieving the broader objectives outlined in the FCA strategy. Mr. O’Connell further highlighted that just as the UK stands as a leading global financial services center, the FCA itself is a globally connected regulator and a respected international leader in financial regulation. This enhanced presence, he believes, will enable both the FCA and its counterparts in India and the Gulf region to collaborate even more effectively.
