Kickstarting a new series, Irina Velkova is joined by David Morrey , Grant Thornton’s Partner, Head of Investment Management, to discuss the focus areas in the sector this year. Key themes include the Investment Firm Prudential Regime (IFPR), ESG, consolidation of the market and the ongoing pressure on margins and the re-discovery of political risk. Important questions arise around how the sector prepares for these changes, the challenges organisations will most likely face in responding to them...
Apr 06, 2022•25 min•Ep. 16
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to respond to external events: including the impact on regulation of UK sanctions relating to Russia, cost of living increases, global action on cryptocurrencies and a potential strike vote from its own staff. In our latest regulatory update, David Morrey , Partner, Head of Investment Management, Financial Services Group, Grant Thornton UK LLP, and Gavin Stewart , Director, Grant Thornton UK LLP, discuss the latest developments and share insight on...
Mar 31, 2022•35 min•Ep. 15
What are the hot topics for the financial services industry in 2022? COVID-19 has dictated the narrative for the last two years, but as we transition into a post pandemic world this year promises a lot of focus on risk and regulatory matters, much of it driven by regulators. In this episode, Irina Velkova is joined by Sandy Kumar, Head of Financial Services and Business Risk Services, Grant Thornton UK LLP, and Alex Ellerton , Partner, Grant Thornton UK LLP to explore key themes for firms this y...
Mar 25, 2022•26 min•Ep. 14
Regulators are facing a shift in focus - with a big emphasis on responding to external events. With rising inflation rates, cost of living, possible industrial action of its own, firms must be prepared to adapt to new regulatory agenda items in the upcoming months. Current consultation papers, such as that on Appointed Representatives, would attract bigger headlines in more normal times. David Morrey , Partner, Head of Investment Management, Financial Services Group, Grant Thornton UK LLP, and G...
Mar 18, 2022•43 min•Ep. 13
Businesses all over the world are facing another large transformational change: hybrid working. And, change always brings challenge: from organisational and operational resilience, and culture, to security risks and leadership. On hybrid/remote working, the FCA has set out its own expectations so firms can ensure they're meeting their regulatory responsibilities. Our host Irina Velkova discusses the impact of these new ways of working with an expert panel: Andre Katz, Group Risk Director for Ope...
Feb 24, 2022•45 min•Ep. 12
On 31 December 2021 the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a press release reviewing its highlights of the year. Now, it's time to ask, what will the regulator's key priorities be in 2022? David Morrey , Partner, Head of Investment Management, Financial Services Group, Grant Thornton UK LLP , and Gavin Stewart , Director, Grant Thornton UK LLP return in for our monthly podcast to discuss what the FCA will be looking at this year: from crypto to recent enforcement cases. Listen to this epis...
Jan 26, 2022•37 min•Ep. 11
As we approach the end of the year, the FCA has released its much-anticipated final consultation on the proposed new consumer duty. It seems to be little change from the original. David Morrey , Partner, Head of Investment Management, Financial Services Group, Grant Thornton UK LLP , and Gavin Stewart , Director, Grant Thornton UK LLP discuss the what this version means for firms – whilst looking back on the year and sharing insight on what to expect in 2022....
Dec 16, 2021•41 min•Ep. 10
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has released several updates this month, including publishing the Regulatory Initiatives Grid and the Future Regulatory Framework. These updates clearly show the regulator's priorities – the 11 new ESG initiatives fit the theme of the recent COP 26 conference. David Morrey , Partner, Head of Investment Management, Financial Services Group, Grant Thornton UK LLP and Gavin Stewart, Director, Grant Thornton UK LLP, discuss these updates and share their insights...
Dec 01, 2021•38 min•Ep. 9
HM Treasury published its final consultation paper for the Future Regulatory Framework (FRF) Review on 9 November 2021. The FRF sets out the government's views on post-Brexit financial services regulation in the UK. Our host, Irina Velkova , is joined by Matthew Conway, Director, Strategy & Policy, at UK Finance , and Gavin Stewart, Director, Grant Thornton Financial Services Group , an established commentator on regulation – the panel shares their insight on the new changes taking shape, th...
Nov 26, 2021•37 min•Ep. 8
Regulators and HM Treasury are expected to release several updates imminently including the Future Regulatory Framework (FRF) Review, Regulatory Initiatives Grid, and consultation papers. David Morrey , Partner, Head of Investment Management, Financial Services Group, Grant Thornton UK LLP and Gavin Stewart, Director, Grant Thornton UK LLP share their insight on this months' regulatory developments and take a deep dive into what's expected from the regulators' crowded pre-Christmas agenda....
Oct 26, 2021•38 min•Ep. 7
Earlier this year, the FCA published its final guidance on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers. This is intended to drive a practical shift in firms' actions and behaviours towards these customers. In this episode, Irina Velkova is joined by Maxine Pritchard, Head of Financial Inclusion and Vulnerability at HSBC UK, and Peter Lovegrove , Director at Grant Thornton UK LLP , for a conversation around how firms are expected to implement this guidance....
Oct 13, 2021•54 min•Ep. 6
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is trying to move on from COVID-19 in the last few months of 2021. As we prepare for 2022, David Morrey , Partner, Head of Investment Management, Financial Services Group, Grant Thornton UK LLP, and Gavin Stewart , Director, Grant Thornton UK LLP discuss this month’s regulatory developments and look back at the summer. The packed episode includes the end of the furlough scheme, recent enforcement cases, the FCA's 'Transformation', and its consumer investment...
Sep 29, 2021•47 min•Ep. 5
The FCA published their Business Plan for 2021/22, setting an ambitious agenda for change. This year’s Business Plan can be viewed as an attempt to transition the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to become what is hoped to be a new regulator for the 2020s – more “innovative, assertive and adaptive.” David Morrey and Gavin Stewart delve deeper into the plan and priorities of the FCA and discuss whether we're looking at a new type of regulator. On the podcast this week: • David Morrey , Partner, ...
Jul 16, 2021•37 min•Ep. 4
The UK Investment Firm Prudential Regime is a new, streamlined and simplified process for the prudential regulation of investment firms in the UK. We're joined by Colm Donnelly, Head of EMEA Prudential Reporting, Invesco to discuss the key aspects of the regime, how this will impact the way firms approach risk, and what is needed for implementation.
Jun 29, 2021•42 min•Ep. 3
In the UK, the joint regulator and government task force on climate-related financial disclosures (TCFD) have published the roadmap towards mandatory climate-related disclosures. ESG and impact investing has taken a prominent place in all discussions lately. We're joined by Edward Dixon, Head of ESG, Aviva Investors Real Assets and Paul Young, Head of Finance, Risk and Compliance to discuss the upturn in regulatory activity, what investors are facing and how to prepare for it.
Jun 01, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2
As firms have adapted to the circumstances of lockdown almost overnight, there's been an inevitable increase in operational risk. Regulators are looking to confirm companies are minimising the impact of disruption by adapting, responding and recovering, while protecting their customers. We're joined by our Andrew Rogan, UK Finance and Tim Armit, former Post Office to discuss the upcoming Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) statement on operational resilience.
Mar 25, 2021•34 min•Ep. 1
