Mary Schapiro, former head of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is joining the board of London Stock Exchange Group plc (LSE Group), the exchange operator announced on Thursday.

Schapiro, who served as chairwoman of the SEC between 2009 and 2012, will join the LSE board on July 1.

Her experience and understanding of U.S. financial markets, “will be of significant benefit to the group as it expands its operations in North America,” LSE Group said.

The veteran regulator has also been head of the U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the U.S. National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

“Mary’s extensive knowledge of the U.S. financial and regulatory landscape, her broad global markets experience, and her understanding of complex financial infrastructure will be of great value to the group as we continue to grow our global footprint,” said Chris Gibson-Smith, chairman of LSE Group.