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ARTICLE · 07 MAY 2026

Investment Management Update - April 2026

Macfarlanes LLP
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The Financial Conduct Authority has released a series of regulatory updates and priorities for the investment management sector, introducing new operational resilience requirements, reforming advice market rules, and modernizing the redress system. These developments signal significant changes in how firms must approach consumer protection, operational incident reporting, and third-party arrangements while balancing growth objectives with regulatory compliance.

United KingdomFinance and Banking
Lora Froud
Lora Froud
Alexandra Green
Alexandra Green
Michael Sholem
Michael Sholem
Rachel Serene
Rachel Serene

Welcome to the latest edition of our investment management update. This publication has been tailored to highlight topical news, cases and changes in the law impacting the investment management sector.

FCA Regulatory Priorities reports: throughout March 2026, the FCA continued to publish its newly introduced annual Regulatory Priorities reports which replace its portfolio letters. On 4 March 2026, the FCA published its Regulatory Priorities report on consumer investments which highlighted the following priorities:

  • building a stronger investment culture;
  • strengthening trust;
  • securing good customer outcomes; and
  • strengthening financial crime controls.

On 19 March 2026, the FCA published its Regulatory Priorities report for the wholesale buy side sector which highlighted the following priorities:

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