FSA adviser who approved disgraced ex Co-op chairman Flowers got job at troubled lender

Laura Miller
clock •

One of the regulators who rubber-stamped the appointment of disgraced former Co-op Bank chairman Paul Flowers later landed a job with the troubled lender, according to reports.

Graeme Hardie was one of the Financial Service Authority's ‘grey panthers' - seasoned financial experts drafted in to help vet senior banking appointments, the Daily Mail reports. And well-placed sources confirmed Hardie was on the FSA panel that interviewed Flowers when he was chosen as chairman of Co-operative Banking Group in 2010. Flowers has since been discredited in the light of revelations about the alleged use of drugs including crystal meth and the horse tranquiliser ketamine. Earlier this year Hardie was recruited by the Co-op Bank as a non-executive director, a role that...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Regulation

FOS partially upholds complaint against SJP for failing to provide annual reviews

FOS partially upholds complaint against SJP for failing to provide annual reviews

SJP failed to provide five annual reviews for client

Sophia Panayi
clock 23 September 2026 • 3 min read
FCA: Simplified advice rules update imminent; MPS review outcome set for 2027

FCA: Simplified advice rules update imminent; MPS review outcome set for 2027

Regulator's Kate Tuckley gives update

Isabel Baxter
clock 08 September 2026 • 3 min read
DB transfer adviser hit with provisional FCA ban and £742,700 fine

DB transfer adviser hit with provisional FCA ban and £742,700 fine

Daniel Thomas advised 53 clients, including four British Steel scheme members

Sophia Panayi
clock 03 September 2026 • 2 min read