Alison Gay

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Articles

‘FCA: consumer protector or govt growth driver?’

Jan 23, 2025 | ftadviser.com | Alison Gay

What’s the biggest news in the US this week? Well, maybe not quite the biggest news, even if you are looking at the world from a regulatory tower in Stratford. But significant in its own way is the Financial Conduct Authority’s announcement that not only does it plan to establish a “presence” in the US, it plans to expand into Asia too. Major international investors are clamouring to speak to the regulator, it appears, and the FCA wants to make this easier.
Bridging the advice gap: FCA’s push for targeted support in pensions

Dec 11, 2024 | ftadviser.com | Alison Gay |Chris Riach |Pinsent Masons

As the next stage in the Financial Conduct Authority’s advice-guidance boundary review draws close, the regulator will likely be hoping that targeted support will play a crucial role in addressing the advice gap. The FCA is actively working to address the advice gap – the challenge consumers face in accessing affordable financial advice – through its review. This initiative aims to enhance consumer support in making informed financial decisions, particularly concerning pensions.
Chaos theory, and a new dawn for FCA/govt relations

Dec 6, 2024 | thelangcat.co.uk | Alison Gay

In our office there’s a button on the microwave marked ‘chaos’. I think this is something to do with defrosting, but I’m not brave enough to press it and find out. Happily, chancellor Rachel Reeves must have felt the same and declined to press her own version of the chaos button with her first Budget. Although it received a frosty response from some quarters, it didn’t have the same impact on markets as the disastrous Liz Truss mini Budget, for which we can all be grateful.
What Reeves wants to see from a refocused regulator

Nov 19, 2024 | moneymarketing.co.uk | Alison Gay |Phil Bray

One of the many possibilities trailed before last Friday’s Mansion House speech was the idea that the Financial Conduct Authority’s objectives might be changed. Currently, both it and the Prudential Regulation Authority have an objective to facilitate the international competitiveness and growth of the UK. Given growth is what the UK economy badly needs to achieve, it’s easy to see why new chancellor Rachel Reeves would want to align the regulators’ objectives.
How to have a midlife crisis in a desert

Oct 11, 2024 | thelangcat.co.uk | Alison Gay

Several years ago I decided to take a career break for six months to take some breathing space. As it turned out, the first day of the break was a Big Birthday, which I guess makes it a mid-life crisis. It was quite a scary prospect, having six months with time to fill, and so many options. One project I wanted to do was an extreme running event – something that would be achievable, but challenging. I’ve always liked running in hot weather, so I narrowed it down to a desert race.
Tracker: Your key to a parallel universe...

Jun 3, 2024 | thelangcat.co.uk | Alison Gay

Picture the scene. It’s a pleasant morning in the office. The sun is shining through the window on your invigorating cup of Jamaican Blue Mountain, and all is well with the world. You have a to-do list that is manageable with a bit of effort, and might allow you to log off at a sensible time. Then an email lands in your inbox. There’s a meeting ahead with the FCA and your boss has to be up to speed on everything the regulator’s produced recently on the subject of advice.
The Top Class Wednesday Update is dusting off her navy suit and preparing for government

Apr 24, 2024 | thelangcat.co.uk | Alison Gay

We’ve all had fun with the various AI tools available online making ourselves look like Vikings, or our dogs more Scottish, while they harvest our personal data in the background. Typing in ‘trustworthy prime minister’ to one popular image generator I got a nice lady with a sensible haircut and a navy trouser suit, which suggests maybe there’s a potential career opportunity there.
Data! Data Data! I can't make bricks without clay - The Lang Cat

Mar 20, 2024 | thelangcat.co.uk | Alison Gay

I don’t know if the authors of the FCA’s corporate documents are big Sherlock Holmes fans, but this quote from the Adventure of the Copper Beeches reflects the sentiment of the Business Plan published this week. The Plan is for the final year of its current 3 year strategy, and although there are no real rabbit-out-of-the-hat moments it’s worth spending some time looking at what it’s prioritising and why. It won’t come as a surprise to anyone that the first priority is consumer duty.
Tracker - The Lang Cat

Feb 20, 2024 | thelangcat.co.uk | Alison Gay

Tracker is a single point of reference for all the consultations, discussion papers and ongoing policy work across the regulatory and legislative landscape. It is designed for regulated financial firms of all shapes and sizes to help them stay on top of policy developments that will likely impact them and their customers in some way. Monitoring and regular updating will be conducted by our regulatory and public affairs team, who will collate what finance professionals need to know.
Labour's financial services proposals could go further

Feb 1, 2024 | moneymarketing.co.uk | Alison Gay |Michelle Hoskin

There have been a couple of interesting publications this week from the Labour Party. Firstly, the report commissioned from Iain Anderson looking at how the relationship between government and the business community can be improved, following a decade characterised by “eroded trust and stifled dialogue”. Secondly, there’s the big policy document on financial services.