The FCA has appointed Sacha Sadan, currently director of investment stewardship at LGIM, as its new director of Environment Social and Governance (ESG).

The role is a new one for the regulator and was announced by FCA chief executive Nikhil Rathi this week to coincide with Fintech Week.

The FCA also announced two key tech appointments this week as part of its plan to become a data-focused regulator.

Mr Sadan will help develop and promote the FCA’s approach to sustainable finance here and overseas. 

A key part of his role will be to lead the development of policies to ensure the “long-term safety and soundness of firms, the proper functioning of markets and the protection of consumers.”

Mr Rathi said: “We welcome the recent addition to our remit of a requirement to have regard to the UK target of net zero carbon emissions. I am delighted to have someone of Sacha’s experience and insight joining us to help us accelerate this important work.”

Mr Sadan joins from Legal and General Investment Management and has worked in fund management since 1994.

Mr Sadan said: “Throughout my career as an asset owner, fund manager and global stewardship director I’ve focused on the protection of consumer interests and responsible capitalism. I look forward to using my experience to help pursue these key objectives at the FCA.”

In December the FCA put in place a ‘comply or explain’ requirement for premium listed companies to make climate-related disclosures. 

In March, the FCA was asked to “have regard to the government’s commitment to achieve a net-zero economy by 2050,” in its letter of recommendations from the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

• In a move to strengthen its approach to data, the FCA has also appointed this week Ian Alderton as chief information officer. Mr Alderton had already been in the post on an interim basis. The FCA has also hired Ian Phoenix as director, Intelligence and Digital. Mr Phoenix has been director of Citizens’ Health Technology at NHS Digital, where he helped lead its response to Covid-19.