Claire Cross quoted in the media about the FCA and non-financial misconduct

Partner Claire Cross, has been quoted in the media on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)’s plans to extend its rules on non-financial misconduct, including bullying, harassment and violence, to financial firms.

Yesterday, the FCA published a Policy Statement announcing the move, which will affect an estimated 37,000 regulated companies from September 2026. Alongside this, the FCA is consulting on whether any additional Handbook guidance is needed to help firms meet their obligations under the rules.

Claire suspects that the FCA will need to prepare for a “surge” in reporting once the date arrives, with firms newly subject to the rules likely to err on the side of caution and report so-called “borderline” cases.

Individuals will need to be prepared to fight their corner on what does, and does not, need to be reported to the FCA, she says.

Claire’s comments were picked up by the Financial Times, The i Paper, FT Adviser and International Comparative Legal Guides (ICLG).