Alex set up the new Consumer Distribution Policy Department in the FCA in October 2018 and is  responsible for policy development across Banking, Payments, General Insurance and Retail  Distribution. Particular challenges include the successful implementation of Strong Customer  Authentication, increasing innovation in Payments and the desire to help facilitate Open Finance in  the UK. He joined the FCA in 2014 and has been working in variety of policy and strategy roles  including leading the team developing the FCA’s Mission. Alex started working life as an economist  before moving to a policy focus at the Association of British Insurers where he led their work on the  Retail Distribution Review.