Financial News will on Monday publish a profile of Sharon Bowles, the chairman of the European Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, as part of a series on the 100 most influential people in the capital markets. Here we ask Bowles five questions, including what she is reading right now, and her greatest achievement.

The election of Sharon Bowles, a member of European Parliament for south-east England, to chair the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in July last year passed without much fanfare. However, the Liberal Democrat politician plays a key role to play in helping shape European directives on financial regulation.