Georgina Philippou, once the Financial Conduct Authority’s chief operating officer, has departed after more than three decades in senior regulatory roles.

Philippou, one of the highest ranking women at the markets watchdog, has served as a senior adviser to the regulator since stepping down as COO in December 2020, according to two people familiar with the matter.

She announced that she was leaving the FCA in September and served her final day on 31 October, one person told Financial News.

Philippou is a 30-year veteran of regulation, joining a variety of watchdogs after a career as an investment analyst firms including JPMorgan and Marshall & Co Stockbrokers.

While COO, Philippou authored an infamous memo berating staff over their treatment of the watchdog’s new Stratford offices, slamming everything from overflowing bins and stealing plants to defecating on the floor in toilet cubicles.

READ How the FCA tried to catch its ‘poogate’ suspect

An FCA spokesperson said: “Georgina has had a distinguished career at the FCA, which included leading our enforcement teams and as chief operating officer. Most recently, Georgina has played a central part in establishing what role regulation should play in improving diversity and inclusion in financial services. Georgina leaves with our huge thanks and very best wishes for the future.”

Others to have left the regulator in recent months include enforcement head Mark Steward, asset management head Nick Miller, and communications director Tom Willetts.

Another director, Richard Fox, also left the FCA on 31 October, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Schroders announced in September that Fox, who had served as interim director of international and head of markets policy since starting at the FCA as a graduate some 15 years ago, was joining the asset management giant as UK head of public policy.

The issue of staff turnover has been thrust to the fore in a wake of an overhaul to pay and perks led by chief executive Nikhil Rathi that has ruffled some staff and resulted in strike action at the regulator.

READ Inside the FCA’s battle for the hearts and minds of the City

However, the FCA has said that it has attracted hundreds of new staff on the back of the reforms and that overall turnover rates are not significantly different from pre-pandemic levels.

To contact the author of this story with feedback or news, email Justin Cash

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