Rory Percival, the FCA technical specialist, is leaving the regulator, it was revealed this afternoon.

Mr Percival, who has held Chartered Financial Planner status, has been a regular speaker at events such as the IFP Annual Conference, the Paraplanners Conference, the Paraplanner Powwow and more in recent years.

I will be setting up my own training and consultancy firm to continue to support the advisory sector's move towards greater professionalism

— Rory Percival (@rorypercival) August 12, 2016

The FCA confirmed his exit this afternoon but said it would be neither making a statement, nor saying yet when his departure date will be.

Mr Percival was unable to speak to Financial Planning Today this afternoon but he has taken to Twitter to explain more.

He said: “I hadn't planned to say anything just yet but it is now in the press that I will be leaving the FCA in due course.

“I will be setting up my own training and consultancy firm to continue to support the advisory sector's move towards greater professionalism.”

Pictured below: Rory Percival speaking at the Paraplanners Powwow last year in a teepee

Many messages of support and good luck have been sent out on social media.

Among them was Richard Allum CFPTM, founder of the Parpalanner Powwows.

He said: “Well I’ll miss ‪@rorypercival at FCA. Great public face and always worth listening to.”

Read reaction by clicking here.

Prior to joining the regulator, Mr Percival worked in the financial services industry for around 20 years and has held Chartered Financial Planner status.

He joined the regulator in 2006 and has been involved with high profile projects such as pension switching, structured products, platforms and intermediaries, risk profiling, centralised investment propositions, mystery shopping in banks, RDR implementation, RDR adviser charges and services, non-advised/simplified advice and due diligence on products and services.