Head of Regulatory Engagement

Job Title: Head of Regulatory Engagement

Location: London / flexible (hybrid working)

About the Role:

The Head of Regulatory Engagement is responsible for managing and overseeing all engagement with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Through leading the delivery of accurate, timely, high-quality responses and notifications to the FCA they will play a lead role in MSG maintaining a positive, constructive relationship with the FCA.

The role holder will also lead the firm’s strategy and approach to regulatory engagement, change and horizon scanning, oversee the accurate and timely submission of regulatory reporting and have overall responsibility for the design, maintenance, and effectiveness of the firm’s Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR) arrangements. This role therefore plays a critical role in ensuring the firm meets FCA standards, including the Principles for Businesses, Consumer Duty, and conduct expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead implementation of a strategy for engagement and influencing regulatory stakeholders, engaging with senior leaders (up to Board level) in the agreement and implementation of this.
• Act as the firm’s central point of contact internally and externally for all FCA engagement, ensuring consistent, accurate, and timely interactions in line with the agreed strategy. This will include leading and overseeing responses to FCA information requests, s.165 requests, supervisory enquiries, and thematic reviews.
• Support the CRO’s and other SMF’s in building and maintaining effective FCA supervisory relationships, including routine engagement, deep dives, and ad-hoc interactions.
• Accountable for the coordination and delivery of regulatory engagement activities across multiple related business units, ensuring consistent, accurate and timely responses to supervisory requests and reviews.
• Shapes and drives a coherent regulatory engagement strategy across interconnected units, aligning messaging, positioning and approach with the Group’s risk appetite and strategic objectives.
• Maintains oversight of cross-unit regulatory commitments and remediation actions, tracking progress to closure and escalating risks, delays or inconsistencies to senior management.
• Coordinate preparation for FCA interactions (including interviews visits, reviews, and inspections, ensuring senior stakeholders are appropriately briefed and supported.
• Ensure all FCA regulatory submissions, notifications, and reporting are completed accurately and on time.
• Lead FCA-focused horizon scanning, monitoring policy statements, consultations, Dear CEO letters, portfolio letters, and supervisory communications, ensuring the impact is assessed and communicated to relevant stakeholders
• Coordinate and oversee firm-wide implementation of FCA regulatory change, ensuring clear ownership, effective delivery, and appropriate governance.
• Lead the design and maintenance of  the firm’s SM&CR framework in line with FCA requirements, ensuring strong visibility of accountability across the Group.
• Develop and sustain strong internal relationships to embed a clear understanding of FCA expectations throughout the business, providing guidance and training to ensure consistent compliance culture and readiness for FCA engagement
• Act as the senior subject-matter expert on FCA regulatory matters to the Executive, providing insight, analysis, and influencing senior stakeholders in relation to recommendations to protect the organisation’s interests and reputation.
• Support Board and committee oversight by providing clear, concise updates on FCA engagement, regulatory risks, and emerging supervisory themes.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a specialist team focused on FCA regulatory engagement, fostering continuous improvement and technical excellence in regulatory affairs.

About you:      

• Significant experience of regulatory engagement with the FCA within the insurance or broader financial services sector, with a proven track record of managing complex FCA relationships and regulatory change projects.
• Deep, practical understanding of FCA regulatory frameworks, supervisory approach, and SM&CR.
• Expert technical knowledge of key FCA Handbooks (inc. SUP, SYSC, PRIN, TC and ICOBS)
• Experience advising Boards and Executive Committees on FCA expectations and regulatory risk.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking, capable of interpreting FCA regulatory developments and shaping business responses.
• Strong leadership, influencing, and communication skills (verbal and written), with credibility at the most senior levels.