OSC Announces Departure of Tom Atkinson

TORONTO, March 23, 2016 /CNW/ - The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) today announced the departure of its Director of Enforcement, Tom Atkinson, who has accepted a position as Executive Director of Enforcement at the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong.

"Tom's experience leading Canada's largest securities Enforcement Program for the past seven years and his detailed understanding of international securities regulation will provide the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong with valuable insight and perspective," said Maureen Jensen, Chair and CEO of the OSC. "Under Tom's leadership, the OSC significantly strengthened its enforcement presence, establishing a Joint Serious Offences Team to pursue more criminal and quasi-criminal cases and introducing first-in-Canada enforcement policies, including no-contest settlements and a proposed whistleblower program for securities regulation. This appointment highlights the depth of talent at the OSC and the value that our staff bring to the global capital markets."

Tom Atkinson was appointed as the Director of Enforcement at the OSC in 2009. Prior to joining the OSC, Tom was the founding President and CEO of Market Regulation Services Inc. He also previously held progressively senior positions at the Toronto Stock Exchange, including Vice-President, Regulation Services. From 1993 to 1996, Tom was an Assistant Crown Attorney for the Ontario Court of Justice. 

An Acting Director of Enforcement will be appointed in the coming weeks and will oversee the OSC's Enforcement Branch until a new Director of Enforcement is selected.

The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices and to foster fair and efficient capital markets and confidence in the capital markets. Investors are urged to check the registration of any persons or company offering an investment opportunity and to review the OSC investor materials available at http://www.osc.gov.on.ca

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SOURCE Ontario Securities Commission

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