Going all the way back to 1694, the Bank of England has never had a female governor. Aside from a brief interim stint for Tracey McDermott, the Financial Conduct Authority has also never been led by a woman.
However, women are becoming an increasingly powerful voice in regulation, as this year’s 100 Most Influential Women in European Finance list shows.
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Having reached gender parity for its senior team in 2023, the FCA promoted Sarah Pritchard to deputy chief executive in June.
Despite coming under fire from the government, Sarah Cardell held on to the top job at the Competition and Markets Authority as her male chair, Marcus Bokkerink, was given the boot in January.
In Europe, one female financial services commissioner, Mairead McGuinness, handed over to another, Maria Luís Albuquerque, last year. Verena Ross remains at the helm of the European Securities and Markets Authority after nearly 15 years with the agency.
And while a female governor remains elusive, the Bank of England continues to have women, including Victoria Cleland, in influential positions. So influential, that her signature is on all printed banknotes.
To see the full FN100 Women, click here.
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Write to Justin Cash at justin.cash@dowjones.com
