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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has appointed Will Self as chair of its Smaller Business Practitioner Panel, effective from 1 September 2025.
Self succeeds Andy Mielczarek, who has chaired the panel since 2022. The appointment follows a competitive interview process.
The independent panel advises the FCA on the interests and concerns of smaller regulated firms. It contributes to the regulator’s strategic objectives, including a current five-year focus on proportionality, clarity, and reducing regulatory burdens.
Self has been a member of the panel since 2020 and deputy chair since 2022, representing the pensions and retirement savings sector.
He became chief executive of InvestAcc Group in June 2023. Prior to this he was chief executive of Curtis Banks, and earlier led Suffolk Life, a subsidiary of Legal and General. He has extensive experience in the Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPP) market and regulatory engagement.
Additionally, he is also a trustee and chair of the finance and resources committee at the Seckford Foundation, and previously chaired the finance and income generation committee at East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices for 11 years.
The FCA’s statutory panels were established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) to ensure regular consultation with both consumers and practitioners. Panel chair appointments are agreed by the FCA board and approved by the Treasury.
Self said: “I’m honoured to take on the role of chair of the FCA’s Smaller Business Practitioner Panel. Smaller firms are the backbone of financial services, driving innovation, diversity, and customer choice.
“I look forward to ensuring their voices are heard at the highest levels of regulation, and to working with the FCA to strike the right balance between protecting consumers, driving growth and enabling smaller businesses to thrive.”
Ashley Alder, FCA chair, added: “The Smaller Business Practitioner Panel plays a vital role in ensuring that the views of smaller firms are taken into account in our work.
“Their views will be particularly helpful as we advance the focus in our new five-year strategy on proportionality, clarity, reducing unnecessary burdens, and support for smaller firms to explore new technologies and innovate. I would like to thank Andy Mielczarek for his excellent chairing of the panel since 2022 and extend a warm welcome to Will as his successor.”
