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In brief

On 11 October 2023, Ashley Alder, Chair of the FCA, delivered a speech on the FCA’s priorities for updating and improving the UK regulatory regime for asset managers. Covering a number of interesting angles, the speech sets out a sketch of the FCA’s vision for the UK asset management regime going forward, and includes some helpful clarity for the industry about the direction of regulatory reform.  The speech highlights in particular the following priorities for reform: 

  • ensuring a more proportionate approach to the regulation of AIFMs;
  • updating the retail funds regime; and
  • supporting technological innovation in the sector.

Click here to read the full alert.

Author

Caitlin is a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Financial Services Regulatory practice group, based in the London office.
Caitlin's practice focuses on advising a range of global financial institutions on complex and high value regulatory matters. She advises banks, asset managers, major corporates and payment institutions on navigating UK and EU financial services regulation. She has particular experience in advising clients on regulatory implementation projects, day-to-day compliance issues, and regulatory issues arising in the context of acquisitions, restructurings, and divestments within the financial services sector. Caitlin also advises market infrastructure providers on markets regulation and the provision of cross-border trading solutions.
Caitlin leads our London office’s ESG regulatory work for financial institutions, and advises a range of clients on the drafting and implementation of ESG policies and structuring ESG-focused investment products. Caitlin is an authority on regulatory reforms in the sustainability space and sits on a number of trade association working groups.
Caitlin has been recognised as a "Leading Partner" by The Legal 500 UK, where she is cited by clients as "a great lawyer [who] has a photographic recollection of regulations which makes her an amazing resource for any tricky topic." She is ranked by Chambers for financial services regulation, where clients describe her as "an expert in her field", a "phenomenal regulatory lawyer" and "a highly responsive and excellent communicator" who "consistently provides pragmatic solutions that are within the regulatory framework". Caitlin is also acknowledged by Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner in Real Estate Funds.

Author

Shaneil Shah is a senior associate in the Financial Services Regulatory Group in the London office.
Shaneil provides strategic regulatory advice to clients across the regulated sector, with a particular focus on the regulations applicable to fund managers, investment firms, market infrastructure, banks and insurers. He advises clients throughout their regulatory lifecycle, from pre-authorisation, through to business expansion and on responding to new regulatory developments. Shaneil also advises on contentious matters, including investigations and enforcement proceedings brought by financial regulators, internal regulatory investigations and financial services disputes.
Shaneil has particular experience advising clients on complex regulatory implementation projects, and has worked closely with a number of asset managers to launch novel products for both retail and wholesale investors. He also advises a wide range of clients on developments in ESG regulations, including the EU’s SFDR and Taxonomy Regulations and the UK’s ESG regime.
Shaneil has undertaken secondments to the London branch of a global investment bank (focusing on contentious matters) and to Baker McKenzie in Hong Kong.

Author

Kimberly Everitt is Baker McKenzie's knowledge lawyer for Financial Services Regulation & Enforcement, covering the EMEA region, and brings over a decade of experience to the team in both knowledge and fee-earning roles. Prior to joining Baker McKenzie, Kim held roles specializing in contentious financial services regulation knowledge, and her fee-earning roles covered non-contentious regulation in the private equity and general financial services sectors.