One of the most prominent figures in the Asia regulatory world is to shift Westward for a senior role at the UK's Financial Conduct Authority.

Mark Steward, the chief enforcer at Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission, is to leave his post in September for a similar role with the UK's Financial Conduct Authority as part of a major reshuffle.

Steward, who is an Australia-qualified lawyer, joined the SFC in 2006 as its executive director of enforcement. He is also a non-executive director of the Financial Dispute Resolution Centre. His contract with the SFC expires on 24 September 2015.

Before joining the SFC, Steward held several senior positions with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and rose to become its deputy executive director of enforcement.

It is understood that Martin Wheatley, the chief executive of the FCA, has been working hard to recruit Steward as his new enforcement chief since January.

Disclosures about Steward’s full benefits package have yet to emerge on the regulator's website.