The Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA) — a lobby group that brings together U.S., European and Asian securities industry trade groups — announced that Allison Parent has taken over as new executive director on Tuesday.

Parent replaces David Strongin, who is retiring after 35 years with industry trade associations, and will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization, including all of its policy initiatives as well as its advocacy and communications efforts.

Parent was head of global policy and strategy at Barclays PLC in London prior to joining the GFMA. She has also worked at the Bank of England and was general counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Budget.

“Allison has a broad and detailed understanding of the industry and is conversant with the key global standards setting bodies, as well as those at the regional level. Her deep experience will be an asset to GFMA as we continue to advocate for effective and efficient global markets,” says Sandra O’Connor, the GFMA’s chairwoman and chief regulatory affairs officer with J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

The GFMA represents the common interests of the U.S Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) and the Asia Securities Industry & Financial
Markets Association (ASIFMA).