Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) announced Wednesday that its Chief Executive Officer Martin Wheatley will leave the commission next summer.

Joining the SFC in June 2005, Wheatley was appointed as the commission's first CEO in 2006.

"My six years with the SFC have been very fruitful. The commission has taken in its stride the many challenges that confronted the financial markets and regulators and we have been able to adopt a pragmatic and sensible approach in our regulation, " Wheatley said on Wednesday.

"It has been a great pleasure working with Martin, whose leadership has helped the commission ride out many challenges and strengthen its position as a globally respected regulator," said Eddy Fong, Chairman of the SFC.

Prior to joining the SFC, Wheatley was Deputy Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange.