Attachés appointed to India and UAE to drive UK investment
The Financial Conduct Authority appointed Sabina Saini and Darine Obeid as financial services attachés in Mumbai and Abu Dhabi. The roles expand the UK regulator's diplomatic network to support international cooperation, exports, and inward investment.
From Mumbai to Abu Dhabi
The appointments establish diplomatic posts in key financial hubs to deepen cross-border ties.
Sabina Saini assumed her role at the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai on August 10, 2026, while Darine Obeid takes up her post at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi on August 31, 2026.
They join established FCA attachés stationed in Washington DC, Brussels, Singapore, and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
According to Ruairí O'Connell OBE, director of international at the FCA, the new diplomatic presence will advance UK financial policy interests and drive investment.
The step builds on an Exchange of Letters signed with India's International Financial Services Centres Authority in February 2026.
Decades of regulatory expertise
Both attachés bring extensive regulatory experience to their international postings.
Saini previously managed the FCA's critical third parties regime and operational resilience policy, following eight years at the Bank of England in resolution policy and supervision.
Obeid spent over a decade at the FCA, specializing in retail banking, wholesale banking, fintech, financial crime, operational resilience, and artificial intelligence.
The expansion supports the FCA strategy 2025–2030 and its commitments to the Prime Minister to boost economic growth and inward investment.
Diplomacy meets financial supervision
Placing attachés directly in growth markets reflects a pragmatic shift toward proactive financial diplomacy.
Yet overseas expansion risks diluting supervisory focus without guaranteeing meaningful capital inflows into the UK.
Success hinges entirely on delivering concrete regulatory alignment rather than mere diplomatic presence.