FCA Finalizes Changes To The UK's Appointed Representatives Regime

An appointed representative ("AR") is a firm or person who carries on a regulated activity, or activities, under the responsibility of an authorized financial services firm. An authorized firm that appoints representatives in this way is referred to as a "principal." In appointing an AR, the principal assumes responsibility for the regulated activities carried on by the AR that have been agreed with the AR in writing. The appointed representatives regime dates back to 1986, but as the perimeter of UK financial regulation has extended, the market significance of ARs has grown. At present, some principals have responsibility for a large number of ARs, especially in the fintech and asset management markets.