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Ex-Wizz Air executive fined in UK over secret share trading

A former leading Wizz Air executive has been fined for secretly trading more than 4 million pounds ($ 5 million) worth of business shares in the runup to financial results, in the very first such sanction by Britain's markets watchdog.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said on Wednesday that Andras Sebok, a previous chief supply chain officer, would pay a 123,500 pound charge after he made 115 sell Wizz Air stock during a restricted 30-day closed period in between April 2019 and November 2020 - and failed to reveal them.

Reuters was not instantly able to reach Sebok for comment.

Senior executives, who have access to personal, market-sensitive details, have to report personal trading to their companies and the regulator within 3 company days. They are likewise limited from dealing throughout closed durations, to help guard against market abuse, unless they secure authorisation.

There was no evidence of expert handling Sebok's. case, the FCA stated. But Steve Smart, the regulator's co-head of. enforcement and market oversight, stated trust and transparency. were crucial to keeping our markets clean.

Sebok, who was fired in 2021 after the FCA informed Wizz. Air about its examination, agreed to settle the case and. received a 30% discount on his penalty.

The FCA in 2019 fined a previous managing director at. Braemar Shipping Providers 45,000 pounds for failing to alert it. about personal trades. However, that case did not extend to. trading throughout restricted durations.

(source: Reuters)