Alison is currently Director of Financial Services at HM Treasury, responsible for a wide range of policy areas across banking and the financial services. She combined this role, until late 2014, with that of Director of Corporate Services. She will join the BSRC in April.

Before joining the Treasury in 2001, Alison worked as a City economist for firms including HSBC and PaineWebber.

Dame Colette Bowe, chairman of the BSRC, said:

"I am delighted that Alison will be joining us. She has very strong and relevant experience in key financial services policy areas, and also knows the City well. Her track record of delivery in both policy and corporate services makes her ideally placed to develop and implement the work programme of the BSRC. "

Alison Cottrell said:

"Rebuilding trust and confidence in banking is a key challenge for the industry, and it is vital for consumers, businesses, the UK economy and the sector itself that banks rise to it. The BSRC has the potential to play an important part in facilitating this change, and I look forward to starting in this new and exciting role."

Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, said:

"I am pleased to endorse the appointment of Alison Cottrell as Chief Executive of the BSRC. Alison has a depth of knowledge of the policy context for financial services, alongside experience of working in the industry. I am confident that she and Colette Bowe are a very strong team to drive forward the BSRC's important work".