Samantha Barrass became Chief Executive Officer of the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission on 17th February 2014. She was previously an Executive Director at the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) in the UK.

Prior to the SRA, Samantha’s career included 10 years with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the UK where she undertook a variety of regulatory roles spanning the delivery of new regulatory approaches and policy at both a domestic and international level, the supervision of markets and exchanges, and was one of the first economists employed by the FSA to develop cost-benefit and other evidential techniques for new regulation.

Samantha previously began her working career at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand as an economist focusing on monetary policy strategy and economic reform.

Kathryn Morgan joined the organisation in 2014 and oversees the Commission’s supervision and authorisation activity.

Prior to joining the Commission, Kathryn worked at the Prudential Regulation Authority (Bank of England) and the Financial Services Authority in London, developing policy and supervising insurance companies. She has over 30 years of industry experience in a variety of financial services firms.

Kathryn has a first class honours degree in mathematics and she is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries as well as a Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary.

Heidi Bocarisa joined the Commission in 1998 after having worked in the banking sector. During her career with the Commission she has been responsible for the supervision of a wide range of types of firms including banks, investment firms, e-money institutions, payment services institution, insurance intermediaries, funds and fund service providers, as well as also being involved in the supervision of fiduciary services providers. Until September 2014, Heidi was the Head of the Banking, E-money and Investment Services Supervision Division and also sat on the boards of the Gibraltar Investor Compensation Scheme and the Gibraltar Deposit Guarantee Scheme.

Heidi holds a first class honours degree in Business Studies & Spanish, a Postgraduate Certificate in Enterprise Management and an Executive Diploma (level 7) from the Chartered Management Institute.

Peter Taylor joined the Commission in May 2016, and is responsible for the Legal, Enforcement and Policy function.

Peter first established himself as a litigator at Denton Wilde Sapte in the UK where he spent 8 years, becoming a partner in 1994. Peter returned to New Zealand in 1996 joining New Zealand law firm Simpson Grierson. In 2000 Peter became General Counsel to the Commerce Commission of New Zealand. After serving in that role for 10 years, Peter joined the New Zealand Customs Service as Group Manager Legal Services.

Up until commencing his role at the GFSC, Peter was Director of Access to Legislation at New Zealand’s Parliamentary Counsel Office.

Hannah leads and provides strategic direction for the Operations team which includes Finance, Human Resources and Training, Information Technology, responsibility for the GFSC Board and Administration and Office Management.

Since joining the GFSC in 2009, Hannah has also worked within fiduciary supervision, acted as the GFSC Project Manager for an Authorised Administration process and for the three years prior to assuming the position of Head of Operations, undertook the role of Internal Operations Manager. Hannah also holds a Chartered Management Institute Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership and a Chartered Institute of Professional Development Certificate in HR Management. Hannah is also a Member of the CIPD Gibraltar Group.

A former award-winning Reuters journalist, Darren is a specialist in strategic communications, government relations, reputation management, media, and international affairs. Darren joined the GFSC in October 2017 following his secondment to the UK Prime Minister and Cabinet Office as part of the UK Government Communication Service supporting the Department of International Trade and projects in Europe and the Middle East.

Prior to his current role, Darren worked in the nuclear and energy sector promoting and positioning the UK as global centre of excellence (CoNE) working alongside UK and international regulators. He spent 10 years in Brussels firstly reporting on economics, trade and foreign policy for Reuters before EU High Representative Catherine Ashton appointed him as her strategic communications advisor giving him a key role in developing her narrative for EU foreign policy and responsibility for creating the communications team that now supports the European External Action Service across the globe. He has also advised numerous other governments and organisations around the world including in Ireland, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Africa, Middle East and international bodies such as UN, WTO, FIFA, UEFA and IOC.

Paul joined the organisation in 2015, bringing with him many years of experience in management within the Gibraltar pension and investment advisory industries. Since then Paul has built and led the pensions team and also assisted Policy in the development of the soon to be introduced, Financial Services (Pensions) Regulations 2017.

Nicky joined the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission in 2010 after having worked in the banking sector.

Throughout his career with the Commission he has supervised a wide range of firms including banks, investment firms, e-money institutions, and money services business.

In November 2014 Nicky was appointed as Risk Manager, responsible for ensuring that effective corporate and regulatory risk management framework and policies were developed and embedded within the GFSC. He is also part of the GFSC’s Innovate and Create Team which was set up to help encourage innovation by supporting those businesses looking to develop and introduce innovative ideas for financial products or services into the market.

Nicky’s appointment as Head of Risk and Innovation in early 2017 has helped to deliver one of the GFSC’s priorities which is to continue to actively support the development of new markets and activities in Gibraltar, promoting innovation that is well considered and safe for consumers and the jurisdiction.

Ernest joined the Commission in 2014 as Policy Advisor. In July 2017, he was appointed Head Policy.

Throughout his time at the Commission, he has been responsible for the maintenance and development of an appropriate legislative and regulatory framework to ensure the effective regulation of financial and professional services in Gibraltar. Ernest manages the implementation of regulatory policy and standards which are informed by HM Government of Gibraltar, supervisory and enforcement work of the Commission, market changes and EU and international initiatives

Ernest is a qualified lawyer, having obtained his law degree from Nottingham Trent University and taking the Bar Vocational Course at the Inns of Court School of Law in London. Prior to joining the Commission, Ernest practised litigation for two years and then worked as a financial services regulatory lawyer for seven years.

Annette joined the organisation in 2008 from the insurance industry.

During her 9 years within the GFSC she has supervised a wide range of firms including insurance, banking, electronic money institutions, money services business and investment firms. Annette was Manager within the Authorisaitons team from its set up, which permitted her to gain significant experience and skills in all financial services areas, which include but are not limited to a technical working knowledge of Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism risks. She was appointed as Head of Financial Crime in 2017.

Annette has experience of delivering on major projects and strong working relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders.

Joe has over 20 years of insurance sector experience, predominantly within the Lloyd's of London Insurance Market, most recently at CEO level. He has also held senior roles at director level for compliance, risk management and internal audit. He is a qualified chartered accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, has a BA Hons in Accountancy and Finance and holds the ACII qualification from the Chartered Insurance Institute and is also a Chartered Insurer. He joined the Commission in 2014.

Alan joined the organisation in 2015 with experience for many years in the banking industry covering job roles that included IT Manager and Chief Information Officer responsibilities in Gibraltar and internationally for a large multinational.

He has also held for many years the role of part-time ICT tutor at the Gibraltar College of Further Education and recently at the University of Gibraltar covering ICT related modules in many courses including Business Degrees. Holding qualifications in a number of ICT subjects as well as two BSc degrees and several Post Graduate Diplomas, his experience allows for an innovative, diverse and holistic approach to technology.

His responsibilities include the strategic alignment of Business Initiatives with ICT Strategic Objectives through the support and introduction of new technologies as well as the running of all technology and communications infrastructures, security, cybersecurity and data processing and analytics.

Tessa joined the Commission in 2005 after having worked in the banking sector.

Throughout her career with the Commission she has supervised a wide range of firms including banks, investment firms, e-money institutions, money services business and insurance intermediaries. Until September 2014, Tessa was the Manager of the Banking, E-money and Investment Services Supervision Division and was then promoted to Head of Authorisation.

Tessa holds a BA degree in Business Management, Certificate for Financial Advisers (CeFA 1,2 & 3) and a Diploma in Management from the Chartered Management Institute.

Tamara joined the Commission in 2008. Tamara worked in the Banking and Investments Division and Funds Department, before becoming Manager of Conduct of Business in 2013. She took the position as Head of Conduct of Business in 2016.

Tamara is a qualified lawyer, having gained her law degree at the University of Kent and taking the Bar Vocational Course at Cardiff University and UK Solicitor Exams at the College of Law in London. Previous to her time at the GFSC, Tamara worked as a solicitor in London, Cambridge and Hampshire returning to Gibraltar in 2004 to work in legal and compliance in the banking sector.