The Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have announced the appointment of Antony Townsend as Complaints Commissioner.

The Commissioner is responsible for the conduct of the final stage of investigations into complaints in connection with how the FCA and the Bank, exercise, or fail to exercise, their relevant functions. The role is independent from these organisations.

The term of office of the current Commissioner, Sir Anthony Holland, comes to an end on 30 April and Townsend will take up his new role on the 1 May.

Prior to his appointment as Complaints Commissioner Antony Townsend was the first chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and is currently chair of the UK and Ireland Regulatory Board of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He began his career at the Home Office before becoming director of education and standards at the General Medical Council. He joined the Solicitors Regulation Authority in 2006 from the General Dental Council, where he was chief executive.

Andrew Bailey, Deputy Governor of the Bank of England for Prudential Regulation, said: “Independent challenge and scrutiny is crucially important for the health of the regulatory system. We are pleased that Antony has been appointed as Complaints Commissioner and value the impartial judgement he will bring to the role.”

Martin Wheatley, chief executive of the FCA, added: “The role of the Commissioner is an important one and I welcome Antony to the role. I look forward to working with the new Commissioner going forward to ensure that the system works for those who feel they have been treated unfairly by the regulators.”

Townsend said: “I’m delighted to be taking up this role. It is essential that people can have confidence in how the regulation of financial services is undertaken. I want to continue the work of Sir Anthony Holland in ensuring and demonstrating that serious complaints are fully investigated and a fair outcome achieved.”