All NewsEducationTV
Equities & FundsCrypto & Digital AssetsAI & TechnologyBusiness & CorporateUS Politics & PolicyGeopolitics & Global RiskMacro, Rates & FXCommodities & EnergyEuropean Politics & MarketsAsia-PacificReal Estate & Property
Story archiveAll categories
← All Stories

FCA names India and UAE attachés in global expansion

Created at 17 Aug · 11:00 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has appointed Sabina Saini and Darine Obeid as financial services attachés in India and the United Arab Emirates, respectively. These appointments are part of the FCA's broader strategy to expand its international network and support UK firms operating globally.

✉Newsletter

PiQ Daily

Pick your topics. Get only what matters, on your cadence.

Key Numbers

1,000+registered entities in GIFT City
$100 billion+combined assets of banks in GIFT City
38global and Indian banks in GIFT City
2024year Saini joined the FCA
8+years Saini worked at the Bank of England
2026/27FCA work program mentioning planned expansion
2022year Blackburn became director of wholesale buyside at FCA
25years experience for Blackburn in financial services regulation
2022year Miah joined the FCA
2018-2019spell Miah spent in Hong Kong

Who's Involved

Sabina Saini
FCA financial services attaché in India
Darine Obeid
FCA financial services attaché in the United Arab Emirates
Ruairí O'Connell OBE
FCA's director of international
Tash Miah
FCA representative in the US
Camille Blackburn
FCA's director – Asia-Pacific
Sarah Pritchard
Executive director, supervision, policy, competition and international at the FCA
FCA names India and UAE attachés in global expansion

↳ Why This Matters

These appointments signal the UK's commitment to strengthening its global financial services ties, aiming to boost exports and attract investment by providing dedicated points of contact in key international markets.

Key facts

  • The FCA appointed Sabina Saini as financial services attaché in India and Darine Obeid in the UAE.
  • Saini is based in Mumbai, and Obeid will be based in Abu Dhabi.
  • These attachés will serve as direct contacts for cross-border policy and market-entry inquiries.
  • The appointments are part of the FCA's strategy to expand its global network and support UK financial services exports.
  • The FCA already has representatives in the US, Singapore, Brussels, and an Asia-Pacific director in Australia.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has expanded its international presence by appointing two new financial services attachés: Sabina Saini in India and Darine Obeid in the United Arab Emirates. Saini, based at the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai, began her role on August 10, focusing on regulatory cooperation with Indian authorities and supporting UK firms looking to operate in India. This move follows a February agreement between the FCA and India's IFSCA to place an attaché in Mumbai to support cooperation, particularly concerning GIFT City, a special financial zone with over 1,000 registered entities and significant banking assets.

Obeid will commence her role at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi on August 31, confirming the FCA's expansion into the Gulf market. Her previous experience at the FCA includes retail banking, wholesale banking, fintech supervision, financial crime, and operational resilience. The FCA's 2026/27 work program had previously indicated plans for expansion into India and the UAE.

These appointments are part of the FCA's broader strategy to enhance its global network, which already includes representatives in Washington D.C. (Tash Miah), Brussels, and Singapore, as well as an Asia-Pacific director, Camille Blackburn, based in Australia. The attachés do not possess supervisory powers but serve as direct FCA contacts for firms and local regulators regarding cross-border policy and market-entry questions, aiming to advance UK financial services policy and support growth through exports and inward investment.

Frequently asked questions

The attachés serve as direct FCA contacts for firms and local regulators, addressing cross-border policy and market-entry questions. They do not have supervisory powers or create new authorization routes.

Sabina Saini is based in Mumbai, India, at the British Deputy High Commission. Darine Obeid is based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, at the British Embassy.

GIFT City is an international financial services center in India overseen by IFSCA, which hosts numerous financial entities and banks with substantial assets.

No, the announcement does not create any new authorization routes for firms.

What Happens Next

01The FCA plans to expand its presence in China, with no appointee or start date named.
02The FCA's 2025 to 2030 strategy outlines commitments to improving exports and inward investment.

Get the newsletter.

Pick the topics you actually care about. We'll email when there's news worth your time, on the cadence you choose. Cancel any time from your account.

Cadence

How It Developed

The FCA appointed Sabina Saini and Darine Obeid as financial services attachés in India and the UAE.
Saini is based at the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai, and Obeid will work from the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
These roles provide a direct FCA contact for firms and local regulators on cross-border policy and market-entry questions.
The appointments extend the FCA's existing network, which includes representatives in Washington, Brussels, and Singapore.
Saini's role includes regulatory cooperation with Indian authorities and support for UK firms entering India, following an agreement with India's IFSCA.
Obeid's role at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi confirms the FCA's expansion into the Gulf market.
The FCA's previous strategy indicated plans for expansion into India and the UAE.
The FCA previously established a presence in the United States and Asia-Pacific, with Tash Miah in Washington D.C. and Camille Blackburn establishing a regional office in Australia.

Sources

T1
FCA names India and UAE attachés in global expansionFinancial News London
T2
FCA establishes presence in the United States and Asia-Pacific | FCAfca.org.uk
T2
FCA Names India and UAE Attachés as Overseas Network Growstradingview.com