The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the financial services regulator of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), has appointed Mark Steward as Chief Executive, effective May 19 2025 for a term of three years. 

 

Steward will also become a member of the DFSA Board of Directors effective May 19. He succeeds the DFSA’s Chief Executive Ian Johnston who will step down from his role following two successful stints as the DFSA’s Chief Executive.

 

Steward joins the DFSA with over 30 years of international regulatory experience across financial services within Australia, the UK, and Hong Kong, where he has developed a deep understanding of the global regulatory landscape. 

 

Previously, Steward was Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight at the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) where he had responsibility for all the FCA's enforcement work and its functions as the UK Listing Authority. He was also the Chair of the FCA's Market Policy Committee and Executive Director of the FCA's International Division. Prior to this, he was at the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) as an Executive Director with responsibility for the Enforcement Division. Before joining the SFC. Steward also held several senior positions with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). He completed a law degree at the University of Melbourne in 1989. 

 

Fadel Al Ali, Chairman of the DFSA, said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Steward as the new Chief Executive-designate of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. He brings with him a wealth of international experience in capital markets and financial services, and expertise to manage cross-border regulatory relationships, and ensure adherence to the highest standards while driving innovation and operational efficiency. This will be invaluable to us as we continue to build on the DFSA’s success, as well as the ongoing growth and development of the Dubai International Financial Centre.”

 

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend my thanks to Ian Johnston for his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to the DFSA over the last three years. Ian has played a pivotal role in shaping the DFSA’s success and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. We wish him all the best with his future endeavours,” Al Ali added.  -TradeArabia News Service