As part of the Panel’s aim to provide early and effective practitioner input into the FCA’s policy development, it has established a number of strategic priorities which are reviewed on at least an annual basis.
The priorities enable the Panel to pursue its own agenda as well as following the consultation agenda of the FCA. The Panel aims to work closely with the FCA in developing its key priority areas and establish its new areas of focus as the FCA embeds its own strategic plans.
The Panels' priority areas for 2025-26 are:
- Competitiveness, Growth and Innovation
- Addressing barriers to investment, including risk appetite and enabling innovation
Including, but not restricted to:
- Political, firm and consumer risk appetite
- Reducing regulatory burden, regulatory requirements on asset management, digital securities sandbox, open banking/open finance, international alignment
- Consumer Duty
- Embedding, communications, and supervisory approach
- Rules and guidance/alignment
Including, but not restricted to:
- Engagement as part of the Wider Implications Framework to support clear and consistent interpretation of the rules
- Unintended consequences
- AGBR/Pensions
- Encourage speed of execution
Including, but not restricted to:
- Engagement on AGBR proposals, and government pension reforms
- Technological developments
- Benefits then risks
Including, but not restricted to:
- AI, Big Tech, crypto and blockchain, digital identity
The Panel’s approach to these priorities will focus on:
Prioritisation
- Challenge work against FCA objectives
- Supporting the FCA to convene/influence in areas outside its direct control
Focus on outcomes
- What does ‘good’ mean?
- Help to reduce uncertainty and increase confidence/risk appetite
Proportionality
- Policy and considered/consistent supervisory approach
- Pace
- Benefits assumptions and rationale