FCA appoints board member to review handling of whistleblower

The Financial Conduct Authority has appointed board member Lea Paterson to review how the UK regulator handled its dealings with whistleblower Simon Andriesz, following his death in Thailand and calls from MPs for independent scrutiny. The review’s findings have not been reported, and lawmakers have said they may consider separate action if they are not satisfied with the FCA’s response. Andriesz’s family said he took his own life on September 23 and that there was no suggestion of foul play. The reports provide no separate forensic or official finding on the cause of death. Andriesz, a former managing director at brokerage BGC Partners, had raised concerns about alleged misconduct at the firm and alleged retaliation after his identity became known. He also provided information about business links between former BGC chairman Howard Lutnick and Jeffrey Epstein. The allegations concerning BGC and the reported links involving Lutnick are distinct from the FCA’s review of its own interactions with Andriesz. The FCA acknowledged that it wrongly advised Andriesz he was not entitled to whistleblower protections and apologized, according to reports of the regulator’s response.