London, [December] 2025 – IVSC is pleased to announce that Ian Johnston has been appointed to the Board of Trustees, effective January 2026.
Ian brings decades of senior leadership experience in financial regulation, governance, and international standard-setting. He most recently served as Chief Executive and Board Member of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), holding the role from 2022 to 2025, and previously from 2012 to 2018. Across both terms, he played a pivotal role in strengthening the regulatory framework of the Dubai International Financial Centre and advancing cross-border supervisory cooperation.
Between his periods at the DFSA, Ian provided strategic advice to regulatory authorities across the Middle East, Europe and Asia, including work on projects supported by the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Originally trained as a lawyer, Ian has held a range of senior executive positions in the financial sector, including as Chief Executive Officer of one of Australia’s major trustee companies. He subsequently transitioned into financial regulation, joining the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) as Executive Director for Financial Services Regulation, and serving multiple terms as Acting Commissioner. He later worked with the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission as a Special Advisor, contributing to reforms and supervisory development in one of Asia’s most influential markets.
Ian’s international impact includes chairing the Joint Forum, bringing together representatives from the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision to address cross-sector regulatory issues. He also previously served on the Board of the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB), chairing its Standards Committee, and until mid-2025 was Vice Chair of IOSCO’s Africa and Middle East Regional Committee and an IOSCO Board Member.
Ian currently sits on the Advisory Committee of the Dubai Chambers (International Chamber) and sits on the Boards of two non-profit organisations: the Fred Hollows Foundation (Hong Kong) and Opera Scholars Australia.
Commenting on the appointment, Hwee Hua Lim, IVSC Chair, said:
“Ian’s outstanding knowledge of global regulatory systems, combined with his deep familiarity with the Middle East and its rapidly evolving financial landscape, will be invaluable to the IVSC. His experience aligns closely with our strengthened presence in the region following the opening of our new office in Riyadh earlier this year. We are delighted to welcome him to the Board of Trustees.”
Ian Johnston said:
“I am honoured to join the IVSC Board of Trustees at such an important time for the valuation profession globally. I look forward to contributing to the Council’s work in promoting trust, quality and transparency across international valuation practice.”
Ian will formally join the IVSC Board of Trustees on 1 January 2026.