15 July 2020

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s securities markets regulator, has published today a vacancy notice to fill the position of Chair of the Authority.

The current Chair, Steven Maijoor, having served the maximum number of ten years allowed under the ESMA Regulation, will leave the post on 31 March 2021 and ESMA now starts the process of finding his successor.

The Chair of the Authority is appointed by the Council of the European Union (Council) following the European Parliament’s (EP) confirmation of the candidate.  

Position

The Chair is a full-time independent professional and member of ESMA staff, based in Paris. The Chair acts as the head and external representative of ESMA, develops ESMA’s long-term strategic orientation and ensures the achievement of ESMA’s objectives. He/she is a voting Member of, and chairs, the Board of Supervisors and Management Board. He/she, as part of his/her accountability, also participates annually in a public hearing before the EP and answers questions from its Members. The mandate is for 5 years, renewable once.

Process

  1. Closing date for applications 2 September 2020;
  2. Interviews by the Selection Board (composed of the Vice-Chair, three members of the Board, and an official from the EC;
  3. Presentation to and interview with the Board of Supervisors;
  4. The Board of Supervisors, with the assistance of the Commission, drawing-up a shortlist; 
  5. Appointment of the Chair of ESMA by the Council, after confirmation by the EP; and
  6. ?The envisaged contract start date is 1 April 2021.