Financial Services Risk and Regulation Unravelled Podcast

Episode 34: investment management challenges and trends for 2023

It's set to be another challenging year for investment managers who must navigate macroeconomic headwinds and make big calls on investments and risk, all while the industry tackles long-term structural challenges (and opportunities) around margins and technology.

Following the success of last year’s ‘top trends’ series for financial services sectors, Irina Velkova is joined by David Morrey and Jonathan Charles to discuss 2023's key trends in the investment management sector, including ESG, AI, Blockchain, the Edinburgh Reforms and Consumer Duty.

Episode 33: regulatory update - Regulatory Initiatives Grid 2023

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has released the sixth edition of the Regulatory Initiatives Grid. There was a delay in the publication (originally expected November 2022) so regulators could consider how the Edinburgh Reforms will impact the regulatory pipeline and initiatives in the coming years.

David Morrey and Ben Farmer explain the new initiatives added to the February 2023 Grid.  

Episode 32: regulatory update – FCA Feedback on Consumer Duty

The FCA's Consumer Duty regulation sets higher and clearer expectations for financial services firms, requiring them to put customers’ needs first.

As we creep up to the relevant phased deadlines for implementing the regulation, David Morrey and Ben Farmer look at key feedback, including Dear CEO letters for sectors, and multi-firm reviews. David and Ben also discuss financial hot topics, including: Buy Now Pay Later, crypto-consultation, the Financial Services and Markets Bill, and much more – sharing insight on how firms and consumers can prepare for the changes ahead.

Episode 31: A financial services forecast for 2023

2022 gave us new operational resilience expectations, the Consumer Duty, and a magnified outlook on climate change and biodiversity. But with firms now integrating these changes into their strategies, what will the year ahead bring?

In this episode Irina Velkova is joined by Robert Hannah, Head of International, Large Corporate and Governance Advisory, who also sits on our strategic leadership team, and Alex Ellerton, Head of Financial Services,  They'll discuss what developments we expect in 2023, including in response to geopolitical tensions, AI, sustainability, cryptocurrency, the cost-of-living crisis and other economic pressures.

Episode 30: regulatory update - the Edinburgh Reforms

The Edinburgh Reforms will consist of over 30 regulatory changes, aiming to lead development and competitiveness in financial services. As the Chancellor only announced 13 of them in his December speech, there's still plenty of scope to speculate on what they might look like. 

Alongside a discussion of the reforms, David Morrey, and new co-host Ben Farmer, tackle other developments within financial services: Consumer Duty; recent FCA board minutes; inclusion and diversity; and enforcement cases. They'll be looking back on their 2022 highlights to share guidance on how firms can prepare for the changes ahead.

Related content: Edinburgh Reforms – key announcements | Grant Thornton 

Episode 29: regulatory update – a reflective farewell to 2022, and Gavin Stewart

Out with the old regulatory year, in with the new.

We close in on the end of 2022 and reflect on another 12 months of risk and regulation. 

This month also marks Gavin Stewart's farewell appearance on the podcast. On their final regulatory update together, he talks to David Morrey about the Edinburgh Reforms, the deleted call in power and a festive season-sized package of regulatory developments.

Join us again in 2023, for a new year and a new co-host for David. 

Episode 28: regulatory update – should we be waving goodbye to de-regulation?

Is meaningful de-regulation quietly fading into the background of the new government’s plans? Will regulatory independence become a political battleground?

In our latest podcast David Morrey and Gavin Stewart discuss the latest developments, including: the Bank of England, Financial Services and Markets Bill, Mansion House speeches, de-regulation agenda, and recent enforcement cases – sharing insight on how firms and consumers can prepare for the changes ahead.

Episode 27: the insurance sector – tackling challenges

The relatively dramatic developments in financial markets that the UK is enduring are impacting many areas of life. The insurance sector has been affected by it too, although it's demonstrating a remarkable robustness, given the global turmoil in the last couple of years.

In this episode, Irina Velkova, is joined by Paul Cooper, Group Chief Financial Officer at Hiscox, Charlotte Clark, Director of Regulation at the Association of British Insurers, and Rob Benson, Partner at Grant Thornton UK LLP, to discuss resilience in the insurance sector, and how to overcome its current challenges. 

Episode 26: regulatory update – regulation in the age of uncertainty

How are firms and consumers responding to the fluctuations of the cost-of-living crisis?

A lot has happened over the last few months, and after short breaks in the sun, taking time to ready the new Consumer Duty final rules of course, David Morrey and Gavin Stewart are back to discuss the latest regulatory developments including: the prime minister, the cost-of-living crisis, 'mortgage prisoners', pension schemes, and more, sharing insight on how firms and consumers can prepare for the changes and challenges ahead.

Note: as this podcast was recorded earlier in October, sudden changes in the government means there is reference to Liz Truss temporarily as Prime Minister.

Episode 25: Meeting new operational resilience expectations

The new operational resilience rules have been effective since March 2022, forcing firms to think much more about how they communicate with customers when disruption does occur. Further regulatory developments are expected in the upcoming period to 2025, which will require firms to transition into new requirements. 

In this episode, Irina Velkova is joined by Joanne Johnson, Head of Operational Resilience and End-to-End Controls at Wesleyan, and David Young, Associate Director at Grant Thornton UK LLP, for a conversation around how operational resilience is becoming a priority for firms.