Finance
UK appoints Katharine Braddick as BoE deputy governor for prudential regulation
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 27, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 27, 2026
Quick Summary
The UK has appointed Barclays executive Katharine Braddick as the Bank of England’s next deputy governor for prudential regulation and CEO of the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), starting July 1, 2026, for a five-year term. She will replace Sam Woods, who has held the role since 2016, as the g
UK appoints Katharine Braddick as BoE deputy governor for PRA role
LONDON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Britain's government on Friday appointed Katharine Braddick as the next deputy governor for prudential regulation at the Bank of England and chief executive of the central bank's Prudential Regulation Authority.
Appointment and mandate
Government statement
"Katharine Braddick is an accomplished pro-business leader with the experience to keep our financial system safe while backing the investment and lending that drives growth," finance minister Rachel Reeves said in a statement.
"She understands the City and regulation, and will help ensure the UK remains one of the best places in the world to do business."
Role and responsibilities
Braddick, who has worked in private sector banking and senior regulatory roles, will lead the PRA’s work to supervise and regulate banks, building societies, insurers and major investment firms.
Term and start date
She will take up the post on July 1 from Sam Woods, and will serve a five-year term.
Regulatory expectations
"This appointment underlines the government’s expectation that the UK’s regulators are robust on resilience and ambitious on growth — acting on the Chancellor’s recommendations in her remit letter to regulate in a way that supports investment, lending and innovation while maintaining high standards," the government said in the statement.
Career background
Previous roles
Braddick has worked for Barclays since 2022, and previously been at the Treasury, the UK Financial Services Authority, and the Association of British Insurers.
(Reporting by William James; editing by David Milliken)
Key Takeaways
- •Braddick will take office on July 1, 2026, succeeding Sam Woods when his term ends in June; the role is approved by the King and is subject to pre-commencement scrutiny by the Treasury Select Committee. (bankofengland.co.uk)
- •The PRA—part of the Bank of England—prudentially regulates and supervises roughly 1,292 firms (banks, building societies, credit unions, insurers and major investment firms), setting capital and risk-control requirements and intervening when firms are not run safely and soundly. (bankofengland.co.uk)
- •Braddick brings a mix of senior regulatory and industry experience: she is currently Barclays’ Group Head of Strategic Policy, and previously held leadership roles across HM Treasury, the FSA/PRA and earlier worked at the Association of British Insurers. (bankofengland.co.uk)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about UK appoints Katharine Braddick as BoE deputy governor for prudential regulation
1Who did the UK appoint as deputy governor for prudential regulation at the Bank of England?
Britain’s government appointed Katharine Braddick as the next deputy governor for prudential regulation at the Bank of England and chief executive of the Prudential Regulation Authority.
2When will Katharine Braddick take up the BoE prudential regulation post?
She will take up the post on July 1.
3Whom will Katharine Braddick replace in the role?
She will replace Sam Woods.
4What institutions will Braddick oversee through the PRA?
She will lead the PRA’s work to supervise and regulate banks, building societies, insurers and major investment firms.
5What is the length of Braddick’s term as deputy governor for prudential regulation?
She will serve a five-year term.
