The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) announces that its Executive Director of Enforcement, Mr Thomas Atkinson, will leave the Commission when his current contract expires in May next year (Note 1).

Mr Atkinson joined the SFC in 2016 from the Ontario Securities Commission in Canada.  Since then the SFC’s Enforcement Division has pursued a series of successful actions to punish and deter a wide range of serious conduct shortfalls in our markets, ranging from IPO sponsor failures to “ramp and dump” frauds and other market manipulation schemes.

Mr Atkinson also nurtured a close working relationship with the China Securities Regulatory Commission and fostered important and close collaboration with our local counterparts, demonstrated in recent years in a series of joint operations with the Hong Kong Police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption.      

Mr Ashley Alder, the SFC’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “I would like to express my appreciation for Tom’s leadership of the Enforcement Division and his overall contribution to the Commission’s work during his time with the SFC.  I wish him all the best and success in his future endeavours.” 

The SFC will commence a global recruitment exercise shortly for Mr Atkinson’s successor.