International communications and government relations firm, Hume Brophy, has announced the appointment of David Cook - the former UK government lead negotiator on EU financial services regulation in Brussels - to the newly created role of Managing Director, International Financial Services. Cook will lead Hume Brophy’s financial services strategy and growth worldwide, reporting to CEO, Conall McDevitt, and join the company’s global Senior Management Team.
Cook is one of Europe’s most experienced and respected financial services regulatory experts. He led the UK’s financial services team in Brussels during a critical time for EU regulation and played a substantial role in the UK’s response to the global financial crisis. He personally led successful negotiations on key legislation including EMIR, MIFID2, MAR, UCITS, and ELTIFS, and was responsible for all aspects of UK’s financial services strategy, negotiations and diplomacy with EU institutions and member states. He also advised HM Treasury, the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on European strategy.
Cook joins Hume Brophy from IHS Markit - the S&P500 global information firm - where he has been co-head of Regulatory Affairs since 2015, having previously been First Secretary, Head of Financial Services at the UK Representation to the EU (UKREP) between 2011 and 2015.
Prior to leading the financial services team at UKREP, he was a key part of the leadership team at the then Financial Services Authority (now the Financial Conduct Authority) that built an enhanced financial stability function in the FSA after the financial crisis. At the FSA he built and led a team responsible for developing and managing the institutional relationship with HM Treasury and Bank of England, including the crisis management of financial institutions in difficulties. Mr Cook notably also project managed the Turner Review, considered a seminal work for regulatory reform in the aftermath of the financial crisis. He began his career as an advisor at HM Treasury.
Cook will work closely with the firm’s regional Managing Directors, senior international financial services consultants, and Hume Brophy’s co-founder and Chair of the International Financial Services Practice, Eoin Brophy, with a particular focus on strengthening the firm’s borderless international offer across Brussels, London, Dublin, Frankfurt, Singapore, Hong Kong and New York.
Conall McDevitt, Chief Executive Officer at Hume Brophy welcomed the appointment:
“This is a major coup for our firm, and also a clear statement of intent in terms of our ambition to become a major force internationally in the financial services sector. Financial services communications and government relations is already a Hume Brophy specialism and one where we see significant growth potential in the years ahead.
“David brings a unique perspective having been a senior EU diplomat, a UK regulator, Whitehall civil servant and having led financial services regulation for one of the most exciting companies in the industry in recent years. He has an exceptional track record at the highest level and understands the challenges facing the major financial centres in the UK, the EU, the US and Asia at this time of global flux and uncertainty. He is also expert in the green finance and ESG agendas which are shaping the future of global financial services.”
David Cook, Managing Director International Financial Services at Hume Brophy added:
“I’ve known Hume Brophy and members of its leadership team for many years and I have been following their growth with interest. I have always been impressed by how they go about their business, their far-reaching networks, and their dynamism and energy. I’m delighted to be now part of an exciting, ambitious, and entrepreneurial team, focussed on delivering world-class government relations and campaigning support to its clients.
The impact of technology, the global pandemic, Brexit and the Climate Crisis are all still unfolding and are already having a profound impact on global financial services, including through changing regulation. I am confident that our expert team can become a trusted partner and adviser to many more firms in the sector.”