The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has appointed a new general counsel.

He is career civil servant Stephen Braviner Roman, currently director general of litigation, justice and security at the Government Legal Department. In this role he oversees legal advice given to the Home Office, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice and Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Stephen Braviner Roman

Braviner Roman will join the FCA in February

Braviner Roman, who joined the Treasury Solicitor’s Department in 1994, was previously responsible for the GLD’s advice on the UK’s departure from the European Union. Other roles have included legal director at the Department for Communities and Local Government (2013-2014), Serious Organised Crime Agency (2011-12) and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (2008-2011).

Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA, said: 'Stephen’s extensive experience of advising ministers on such a wide range of legal issues and managing over 1,000 lawyers will be invaluable given the scale and variety of the FCA’s remit.'

Braviner Roman will replace David Scott, a former Freshfields litigation partner, who was appointed interim GC last year following the departure from the FCA of Sean Martin.