The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has appointed William A. Birdthistle as its new director of the Division of Investment Management.
Birdthisle joins the SEC from the Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he is a professor.
“Professor Birdthistle will bring remarkable expertise in investment funds to the SEC,” SEC Chair Gary Gensler said. “The Division of Investment Management develops regulatory policies to oversee investment companies and investment advisers so that American investors can confidently save to buy homes, pay for college, or plan for retirement. I look forward to working closely with William to execute our mission.”
Per the SEC, the Division of Investment Management is responsible for overseeing regulatory policy for investment advisers and investment companies, as well as mutual funds and other investment products and services relied upon by retail investors.
Gensler extended gratitude to Sarah ten Siethoff for serving as acting director of the Division of Investment Management while also providing counsel during Gensler’s first eight months as SEC Chairman.
“The SEC’s Division of Investment Management has an exceptional reputation for protecting investors in funds and the asset management arena,” Birdthistle,
whose research explores investment funds, securities regulation and corporate governance, said. “I am eager to work with the dedicated staff behind those efforts to carry out the policy agenda that Chair Gensler has established to help investors and others.”