Former FCA Director, Roma Pearson, joins Square 4 Partners

Square 4 Partners, a consultancy firm specialising in governance, risk, and compliance, has appointed Roma Pearson as Senior Advisory Director within its Consultancy Division.

Pearson, the former Director of Consumer Finance at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), joins at a crucial time for financial services firms navigating heightened regulatory pressures, particularly in relation to the Consumer Duty regime.

With over 25 years of experience in UK financial regulation, Pearson brings unparalleled expertise to the role.

At the FCA, she played a key role in the supervision and policy development of the consumer lending market, and held senior positions across several departments, including Head of Mortgages & Consumer Lending, Head of Retail General Insurance, and Head of Risk Advisory.

Her tenure at the FCA saw her directly involved in several important regulatory initiatives, including the regulation of deferred payment credit, the modernisation of the Consumer Credit Act, and strengthening consumer protection measures.

Notably, Pearson also contributed to the policy reforms around debt packagers’ referral fees and the introduction of outcomes-based supervision, which has become a focal point under the FCA’s Consumer Duty.

“With regulatory expectations evolving rapidly, firms are under increasing pressure to not only comply but to demonstrate real commitment to delivering good outcomes for consumers,” Pearson said in a statement.

“I look forward to working with the team at Square 4 and our clients to provide practical, forward-thinking solutions that help them navigate these challenges with confidence.”

Paul Scott, Managing Director at Square 4 Partners, highlighted Pearson’s arrival as a significant step forward for the firm.

“We are delighted to welcome Roma to our award-winning advisory team,” Scott commented.

“Her deep regulatory expertise and leadership experience at the FCA will be invaluable to our clients as they navigate complex compliance challenges and strive to meet the highest standards of governance and accountability.”

Square 4 Partners, founded in 2021, has rapidly grown into a trusted advisor for financial services firms seeking guidance through the increasingly complex regulatory environment.

Pearson’s appointment is seen as an important strategic move to further bolster the firm’s position as a leader in regulatory advisory services.