Stakeholder Engagement Panel Members 2015-16

Mark joined us as associate partner in January 2014, following three years with the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) in Brussels.

Mark’s work focuses on the development of European and British wholesale markets; he is the vice chair of the Electricity Working Group of European Regulators; and is Ofgem’s member on the ACER Board of Regulators. His work within our Energy Systems Division particularly focuses on the development of the role of the system operator and on the design and effective functioning of intraday, day ahead and balancing markets.

An economist by background, Mark was previously an economic consultant with CEPA where he worked with clients across regulated sectors. He began his energy sector career with us in 2003.

Olivia’s early career was spent with the Environment Agency, which subsequently led to roles in related areas in both public and private organisations. Experience in the voluntary and community sector combined with local authority helped to develop a focus on regeneration and the challenges of social and economic disadvantage. Olivia has served as a member for the Consumer Council for Water, and as a housing association board member for nine years. She is currently a non-executive director for Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Trust and Northampton General Hospital. Her experience in social care and systems transformation has informed her interest in the challenging area of sustainable healthcare provision and stakeholder engagement.

Martin created the FCA’s model for engaging with consumer and special interest groups as well as its consumer vulnerability programme. He now leads the FCA’s financial inclusion work. Previously to this he has held a number of policy, development and external affairs roles centred around representing and engaging with consumers, often in partnership with civil society organisations. Whilst at the Big Lottery Fund he led the creation of its £31.7 million financial capability and inclusion programme, Increasing Financial Confidence. He started his career teaching consumer and life skills to adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Martin is currently a Board member of the Nationwide Foundation as well as an independent Commissioner for the Commission on Financial Inclusion. Previously he has been a Board member of the Association of Charitable Foundations and the Institute of Consumer Affairs, as well as a Commissioner for Scope’s Commission on Extra Costs for Disabled People.

Martin is an independent member of the panel and does not represent the FCA in this regard.

Marieke’s career in Scotland spans over 25 years in the public and voluntary sectors in a wide range of roles including Director of Consumer Focus Scotland and positions at the Scottish Government, Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, Citizens Advice Scotland and Shelter Scotland.  Marieke currently serves as a member of the Board of Food Standards Scotland, the Board of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and the Scottish Legal Aid Board. She is Vice-Chair of Hillcrest Housing Association and until recently chaired the Scottish Tribunals and Administrative Justice Advisory Committee.

Ashleye Gunn is an independent consumer policy consultant with over 20 years’ experience advising on consumer markets, most recently as Policy Programme Director at Which?. She has a record of delivering influential investigations and policy proposals across a number of consumer sectors, particularly financial services and energy. These include several super complaints, exposing the systematic miss-selling of payment protection insurance, and the ‘Imbalance of Power’ reports that highlighted consumer detriment across the energy sector.

Ashleye has a particular interest in how increasing genuine, truly effective competition can benefit both consumers and business across markets. Prior to Which? she had an award-winning career as an advertising strategist.

Claire is a professional researcher and policy analyst, focussing on consumer behaviour and decision-making, consumer protection and consumer-focussed regulation. She specialises in user-led, evidence-based and impact-focussed policy development, across a range of markets, with a particular interest in vulnerable and excluded consumers. She has delivered a number of research projects focussing especially on people with low or unstable incomes and customers in arrears. She recently completed a multi-sector review of best practice in debt collection and recovery looking, in particular, at preventative pre-arrears strategies to support consumers to avoid serious financial difficulties. She is currently involved in a study of energy companies’ approaches to identifying and supporting customers in financial difficulty and local authorities’ council tax collection practices. Claire is also a member of a number of other Boards and Consumer Panels, including the Civil Aviation Authority Consumer Panel, the Advertising Advisory Committee and the Board of the Money Advice Trust, and was previously Deputy Director of Policy at the National Consumer Council.