Just one senior manager punished since launch of SMCR

Only one enforcement action has been taken since the introduction of the Senior Managers and Conduct Regime (SMCR) in 2016, research from financial regulation consultancy Bovill reveals.

A Freedom of Information request (FOI) shows that the FCA has launched only 64 investigations under the SMCR, despite the fact that the regime was expanded to cover 48,000 firms in December 2019. This means that just 1.5% of investigations have led to enforcement. In addition, over half of the investigations remain open.

The findings come as the Treasury today closes the Call for Evidence stage of its consultation on the SMCR’s effectiveness, scope and proportionality, which is being conducted alongside a joint consultation from the FCA and PRA on the same topic.

The FOI also reveals that senior managers have been investigated by the regulator for non-financial misconduct on only three occasions.

Ben Blackett-Ord, executive chairman at Bovill, said: “Bovill welcomed the Treasury’s decision to review the SMCR when it was announced as part of the Edinburgh Reforms.

“Whilst the regime remains broadly welcomed by the industry, the low number of investigations and lower number of enforcement actions suggests that the regulators are, once again, failing to use the powers that they have to detect and then punish misconduct. An effective system for policing senior individuals is crucial to the health of the regulatory system overall, and to UK financial services’ international competitiveness. The intent behind SMCR was always correct, and indeed the regime has significantly improved corporate governance standards, but unless the regulators can demonstrate that they have real teeth in relation to enforcement, it will inevitably underdeliver.

“It is essential that regulators use the powers that they have been given to hold senior managers to account, but these findings show that there remains significant work to be done before the threat of sanction will acts as a proper deterrent to misconduct at a senior level. We look forward to the publication of the findings from the Treasury and the regulators' consultations later this year.”