When asked why he joined the European Commission rather than the British civil service, David Wright replied simply: “I always felt the world was a bigger place than just the UK.” It is this view beyond national self-interest that has defined the 60-year-old Briton’s career in financial markets regulation.

One of two new regulators in Financial News' list of the 100 most influential individuals in European finance this year, Wright became secretary-general of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions in March, five years into the financial crisis, with G20 deadlines for reform of the global derivatives markets looming at the end of this year. His friend and confidant Michel Barnier topped the list for the second year running.