The International Centre for Financial Regulation (ICFR) announced the establishment of its Academic Panel, comprising leading academics in the field of financial economics and regulation and whose knowledge and expertise will help to guide the ICFR in its development and growth.

The ICFR, which has backing from the UK Treasury and 19 financial institutions, was conceived in 2006 when a committee of politicians and financial executives were searching for a way to promote Britain's approach to financial regulation around the world.

The London-based think-tank, whose chairman is David Currie, provides training, scholarship and thought leadership on financial regulation. The new academic panel will enable the ICFR to foster closer links with the academic world, and to exchange ideas on important developments in regulatory thinking from around the globe, the organization said.

In addition to advising on the ICFR's research agenda, the panel will cultivate relationships between the ICFR and leading academics studying these topics.

Members of the academic panel include: Alistair Milne, Reader in Banking at Cass Business School; Andrew Walter, Reader in International Political Economy at the London School of Economics; Charles Goodhart, Professor Emeritus of Banking and Finance at the London School of Economics; Julian Franks, Professor of Finance at London Business School; Neil Shephard, Professor of Economics at Oxford University; Nobuhiko Sugiura, Professor and Associate Director at Chuo University Graduate School of Strategic Management; Richard Herring, Professor of International Banking at Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania and Viral Acharya, Professor of Finance at Stern School of Business, New York University. The international focus of the panel provides a holistic view of regulation worldwide that underscores the ICFR's global approach, the think-tank said. "At a time when reform of financial markets is high on the agendas of governments across the world, considered research and informed debate are crucial," Currie, who is also chairman of the academic panel, stated in a release.

"The Academic Panel will develop and focus the ICFR's research agenda to address the critical issues facing regulators".

Richard Reid, director of research for the ICFR commented: "This highly regarded group of academics will enable the ICFR to remain at the forefront of issues within regulation. We will work in conjunction with this through a variety of channels, including seminars, briefings and research to share our knowledge and insight with the global financial community."