Britain’s Treasury has stepped away from the traditional civil service to find a new CEO for the Financial Services Authority (FSA), plumping instead for former Arthur Andersen consultant John Tiner. The FSA is undertaking an Financial Services Reform Act-style overhaul of Britain’s massive insurance sector, and Mr Tiner is recognised as the program’s spearhead.

Mr Tiner, 46, only joined the FSA in 2001 to run its Consumer, Investment and Insurance Directorate following a broad-ranging career at Arthur Andersen. The FSA says Mr Tiner was Head of Arthur Andersen’s worldwide financial services industry practice and led a review of UK banking supervision in 1996. He has also worked on significant financial services assignments in Japan, the US, Germany, Norway and the Czech Republic.

Howard Davies will step down as Chairman and CEO of the FSA on September 22, the same day that Mr Tiner takes up his new appointment. Mr Davies will be succeeded as Chairman by Callum McCarthy, currently Chairman of Britain’s Gas and Electricity Markets Authority.