Risk & Regulation Rundown

Host Tessa Norman is joined by PwC Directors Andrew Strange and Ian Ody to unpack how targeted support will impact consumers and firms, and how it fits into the FCA’s wider agenda to improve consumer outcomes and expand retail participation in capital markets. Our expert guests discuss the strategic choices firms face, from identifying use cases and customer segments, to navigating conduct risks and evolving their offering over time. 

We also look ahead to how data, AI and evolving business models could reshape the advice and guidance landscape over the coming years, and why targe...

In this episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by PwC Partner Michael Snapes and Director Stefanie Aspden from PwC’s Banking Financial Risk practice, to unpack recent developments across the UK banking prudential framework. 

With the PRA recently finalising Basel 3.1 rules, and a wider set of changes spanning MREL, IRB model approvals and the Strong and Simple (SDDT) regime, our guests explore how these reforms fit together - and what they mean in practice for banks of different sizes and business models. They also discuss the Financial Policy Committee’s system-wide capital review, the PRA’s evolvin...

The UK’s financial and related professional services industry is at a critical juncture. With global competition intensifying and technology reshaping markets, standing still is no longer an option. In this episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by Miles Celic OBE, Chief Executive of TheCityUK, and Darren Ketteringham, PwC UK’s Financial Services Leader, to discuss insights from a new PwC and TheCityUK report on the future of the industry. 

The conversation explores why bolder ambition, faster delivery and more decisive reform are essential to secure the UK’s leadership as a global financial centre for the next de...

With the PRA’s PS20/24 rules requiring UK insurers to complete their first Solvent Exit Analysis by June 2026, this episode breaks down what solvent exit planning means in practice. Guest host and PwC Director Pete Thomas speaks with Directors Sarah Watson and James Cameron, and PwC’s Global Insurance Regulatory Leader Carlos Montalvo to explore: how the new regime fits within the UK’s evolving recovery and resolution framework; the international context; and lessons from real cases of insurer stress and failure. 
Our expert guests discuss how firms can leverage existing ORSA, wind-down and resilience work; and how to over...

In this episode, guest host Laura Talvitie, who leads PwC’s work on digital asset regulation, speaks with Jonny Fry, CEO of TeamBlockchain and Digital Bytes, and Daniel Dzenkowski, PwC’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework Lead.

Regulators, asset managers and technology providers are all exploring how tokenisation could redefine how funds and assets are structured, issued and traded. Against this backdrop, our guests discuss the UK’s evolving approach to fund tokenisation and the FCA’s consultation on this topic. They also explore the potential role of blockchain in financial markets and what firms should be doing now...

Host Tessa Norman is joined by PwC Partner Menicos Kouvaros and Director Duncan Scott to unpack the next phase of T+1 settlement reform - and why operational resilience should sit at the heart of firms’ readiness strategies.

The discussion explores where firms stand today on the journey to T+1, the biggest bottlenecks across the execution-to-settlement chain, and how resilience techniques such as service mapping, scenario testing and impact tolerance reviews can accelerate transition plans.

Our expert guests also share insights on regulatory expectations, practical actions firms should prioritise, and how embedding resilience thinking early can he...

In the final episode of our three-part deep dive mini-series, host Tessa Norman is joined by Alex Bertolotti, PwC UK’s Insurance Leader, and Samantha Jones, Director in PwC UK’s insurance risk and regulation practice, to explore the dynamic forces reshaping the insurance sector.  

Our guests unpack the growing pressures facing insurers – from cost inflation and consolidation trends to regulatory scrutiny and climate risks – and share insights on how firms can respond. The discussion covers the FCA’s evolving regulatory approach, technological transformation across underwriting and claims, and the implications of emerging AI use cases. We also explor...

In this episode, guest host Laura Talvitie is joined by Elise Soucie Watts, Executive Director at Global Digital Finance, and Amanda Wick, Founder of the Women in Crypto Association and author of The Catalysts, to unpack the evolving regulatory landscape for stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

Our expert guests explore the drivers behind the recent uptick in stablecoin adoption, how the United States’ GENIUS Act is catalysing digital asset activity, and the emerging policy development in the UK’s regulatory framework. We also examine the impact of global macroeconomic and political trends, the implications of CBDC...

In this episode of PwC's Risk & Regulation Rundown podcast series, host Tessa Norman is joined by Mark Batten, PwC UK Banking and Capital Markets (BCM) Leader, and Conor MacManus, Director in PwC UK’s Regulatory Insights team, to explore the emerging trends impacting the banking and capital markets landscape. 

From navigating macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures, to responding to evolving regulatory and consumer expectations, our guests discuss the structural and strategic shifts shaping the future of the BCM sector, and share perspectives on how the sector can boost the UK’s mission of economic growth.

We also...

In the first of a three-part mini series exploring the trends impacting the financial services sub sectors, host Tessa Norman is joined by Albertha Charles, PwC UK and Global Asset and Wealth Management (AWM) Leader, and Andrew Strange, Director in PwC UK’s Regulatory Insights team, to take a deep dive into the drivers of change in the AWM sector. 

Against a backdrop of market volatility, shifting investor expectations, and increasing regulatory complexity, our expert guests explore the forces reshaping the AWM landscape - from the rapid rise of private markets to generational wealth transfer.

We...

In this episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by Derek Leatherdale, Senior Geopolitical Risk Adviser at Sibylline, and Sean Withington, Senior Manager in PwC’s Geopolitics team, to explore the rising prominence of geopolitical risk for the financial services sector.

Our expert guests unpack the complex and fast-moving nature of today’s geopolitical landscape, highlighting how this risk is increasingly shaping strategic, operational and regulatory priorities for firms. We delve into the evolving regulatory expectations and implications for firms’ operational resilience, cross-border capital flows, and risk and compliance structures.

Our guests also share practical actions firms...

Host Tessa Norman is joined by Andrew Douglas, Chair of the UK Accelerated Settlement Taskforce, and Menicos Kouvaros, PwC Partner, to discuss the topic of T+1 settlement reform and the journey to go-live in October 2027. 

With both UK and EU T+1 transition timings now confirmed, our expert guests reflect on the lessons from the North American experience and how these should inform firms’ preparations for the UK’s move to T+1. Our guests provide their assessment of the current state of readiness across the industry, and share perspectives on the operational, technological and regulatory chall...

In this special bonus episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by PwC Partner Sajedah Karim and Director Conor MacManus to unpack the FCA’s newly released five-year strategy — and what it means for financial services firms.

Our expert guests explore how the FCA aims to open up the debate around rebalancing risk, and drive a greater focus on enabling economic growth and embracing emerging technologies. The conversation dives into the regulator’s shift towards a more outcomes-focused approach, and how the FCA is taking this forward through its feedback statement on reviewing rules in light of the Consum...

In this episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by Duncan Scott and Rory Spedding-Jones from PwC’s Technology, Data and Resilience practice, to delve into the topic of operational resilience. 

Our expert guests reflect on financial services firms’ ongoing operational resilience journeys, how these are likely to evolve beyond the March 2025 UK implementation deadline, and how regulatory expectations are changing. Our guests also explore the evolving resilience landscape in response to changing threats and market expectations, as well as the transformative potential for AI and other technologies to enhance firms’ resilience capabilities, drive efficiencies and add value in the...

In this episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by Miles Celic, Chief Executive Officer of TheCityUK, and Darren Ketteringham, PwC UK’s Financial Services Industry Leader, to discuss a future vision for the UK financial and related professional services industry.

Our guests reflect on the themes of the Vision 2025 report, which was published jointly by TheCityUK and PwC in 2017, and which set out a roadmap for a highly digitised, innovative and customer-centric industry by 2025. Now, a month into 2025, and with the Government on the cusp of setting out its future strategy for the industry, we discuss pr...

In this episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by PwC Director Gemma Jones and Senior Manager Lucas Penfold, to explore the evolving landscape of sustainability regulation in the UK and globally.

Our expert guests reflect on the sustainability priorities of the new UK Government and the steps to implement the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) standards. Our guests also share perspectives on how financial services firms can prepare to meet upcoming regulatory milestones, reflecting on the interoperability between sustainability regulations and the operational and strategic lessons for firms to consider as they look ahead. 

You...

In this episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by PwC Partner Stephen Arnold and Director Samantha Jones, to discuss the growing regulatory scrutiny of the general insurance and protection market.  

Our expert guests explore the FCA’s recent supervisory work across the sector, with a focus on competition, price and value, and consumer outcomes. We delve into the key considerations for firms as they navigate evolving regulatory and consumer expectations. Our guests also share insights on the lessons that other financial services firms can learn from the insurance sector’s experience, and discuss how firms can prepa...

This episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by PwC Partner Michael Snapes and Director Gordon Kemp, to deep dive into the evolving UK prudential banking landscape, navigating the impacts of the PRA’s Basel 3.1 final rules and proposed Strong and Simple regime.

Our expert guests unpack the details of the PRA’s recent publications, sharing insight on the UK’s journey to implement the Basel 3.1 rules and the development of its Strong & Simple framework. We highlight the expected impacts the changes will have on banks - both large and small - and key strategic consid...

This episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by Sarah Porretta, Deputy CEO of Fair4All Finance, and Howard Taylor, a Director in PwC’s Consulting practice, to explore the topic of financial inclusion.

Our expert guests share their perspectives on the importance of financial inclusion and why this is not a niche issue, with Fair4All Finance’s work demonstrating that over 20 million people are vulnerable to exclusion. Our guests navigate the commercial business case for inclusion, looking at issues such as risk appetite, the potential to serve new customer groups, and changing consumer and...

In this episode, guest host Laura Talvitie, PwC UK Digital Assets Lead, is joined by Shearin Cao, EMEA Regulatory Policy Director at Citi, John Allan, Head of Innovation at the Investment Association, and Matt Blumenfeld, PwC’s Global Digital Assets Lead, to delve into the emerging world of tokenisation and its evolution in the financial services industry.

Our expert guests share insights on the opportunities tokenisation can bring in both investment products and tokenised money, as well as its transformative power to unlock additional capabilities for the wider financial ecosystem. Our guests also exchange views on th...

Host Tessa Norman is joined by Jess Lewis and Jamie Drysdale, both Directors in PwC’s insurance practice, to take a deep dive into the trends shaping the UK life insurance and retirement sector.

Our expert guests discuss how macro trends such as changing workforce dynamics, economic and political drivers, and health and longevity trends are impacting customer expectations and needs, and the resulting impact on providers. Our guests also spotlight the role of regulatory initiatives and technology in driving transformation. They share insights on how firms can overcome challenges related to data and legacy systems to en...

In our latest episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by Duncan Scott and Danny Chamings, Directors at PwC UK, and Moira Cronin, a Partner in PwC Ireland, to explore how firms can build operational resilience against the backdrop of an increasingly complex risk environment. 

Our expert guests discuss the evolving regulatory approach to operational resilience in the UK and EU, focusing on firms’ progress towards upcoming deadlines for the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and the UK’s operational resilience framework, and the practical steps they can take to prepare. Our guests also sh...

In the first episode of a new series, host Tessa Norman is joined by David Kenmir, PwC Partner in Financial Services Risk and Regulation, and Amrita Sawhney, a Director in PwC’s Technology, Data and Analytics team, to take an in-depth look at the evolving redress and remediation landscape in the UK. 

Our expert guests discuss the changing regulatory focus on redress and remediation, spotlighting the impact of the FCA’s ongoing motor finance discretionary commission review, and heightened expectations set by the Consumer Duty. Our guests also share perspectives on the increasing data deman...

In this episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by two PwC Directors: Julia Ramsay, a specialist in Third Party and Supply Chain Risk, and Tom Kohler, a specialist in Financial Services Resilience and Risk Management, to explore the regulation of critical third parties (CTPs).

Our expert guests delve into the details of the incoming regulatory regime for CTPs, sharing insights on the outcomes policymakers are seeking to achieve, and the steps CTPs and financial services firms can take to prepare for the proposed new rules. Our guests also exchange perspectives on broader regulatory measures...

In this episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by Director Esther Rawling, and Senior Manager Lucas Penfold from PwC’s Sustainability practice, for a deep dive into the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). 

Our expert guests delve into implementation hurdles facing banks, asset managers and insurers, and share practical tips to overcome those challenges as they prepare for the upcoming reporting deadlines. Our guests also share perspectives on the pace and scale of sustainability regulatory change in the UK and beyond, how that’s likely to be shaped by political change, and what firms can exp...

In the first episode of 2024, host Tessa Norman is joined by Isabelle Jenkins, PwC UK’s Financial Services Industry Leader, and Lord Gavin Barwell, a PwC Senior Advisor and former MP and Chief of Staff to Theresa May, to look ahead to the geopolitical, economic and regulatory drivers set to shape financial services this year. 

Our guests explore the implications of a fast-evolving and complex global landscape, discussing the swathe of upcoming elections and their impact on policy and regulation in 2024. Our guests also reflect on the regulatory and market trends influencing financial services thi...

In this episode, guest host Andrew Strange is joined by Amanda Wick, Founder and CEO of the Association for Women in Crypto, and Laura Talvitie, Digital Assets Lead in PwC’s Financial Services Regulatory Insights team, to delve into the world of digital assets.

Our expert guests discuss the recent developments in digital asset regulation, both in the UK and globally, and share their perspectives on the direction of future policy evolution. Our guests reflect on the use cases of digital assets for the traditional financial services sector, as well as share their perspectives on...

In this episode, guest host Andrew Strange is joined by Stephen Pegge, Managing Director at UK Finance, and Katy Bennett, a Director leading PwC’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consulting business, to explore how the financial services sector is embracing diversity and inclusion (D&I).

Our expert guests reflect on the enhanced regulatory focus on D&I in the sector, and discuss the challenges facing firms in meeting the proposed new regulations. Our guests also share insights on the steps firms are taking to drive positive change within the industry, including through data gathering an...

In this episode, guest host Andrew Strange is joined by Alex West, PwC’s banking and payments fraud team lead, and Ben Luddington, a Director in PwC’s financial crime practice, to explore the critical role of financial services firms in tackling financial crime and fraud.

Our expert guests share reflections on firms’ response to enhanced regulatory pressures, in particular through the incoming authorised push payment fraud rules, and debate the implications this will have on the banking and payment sectors. Our guests also discuss the broader operational, compliance and financial challenges facing firms in the...

In this episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by James Williams, a Senior Manager in PwC’s Banking Conduct team, and Lin Yang, a Senior Manager in PwC’s Technology, Data and Analytics team, to share reflections on firms’ implementation of the FCA’s Consumer Duty.

Our expert guests explore firms’ transition from project mode to business-as-usual,and how they can leverage innovative technology and data solutions to meet the ongoing demands of the Duty and deliver better customer outcomes in a sustainable way. Our guests also discuss where the FCA is focusing its supervisory attention and how it...

In this episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by Adam Gilbert, PwC’s Global Senior Regulatory Advisor on financial services, and Conor MacManus, a Director in PwC’s Financial Services Regulatory Insights team, to explore the evolving regulatory landscape in the United States and the UK. Our expert guests delve into the areas of alignment and divergence in the agenda of policymakers and regulators, and what these mean for firms.

Our guests share their perspectives on regulatory responses to recent market disruption, as well as exchange views on Basel III implementation and the expanding consumer protection agenda on b...

While our team takes a well-earned summer break, we'd like to take this opportunity to reshare one of our most popular episodes from our last series. In this re-run episode, host Andrew Strange delves into the Metaverse world to discuss the risks and opportunities for financial services. Expert guests Yanna Zhu from PwC’s Metaverse Technologies team, and Laura Talvitie, a Senior Manager in PwC’s FS Regulatory Insights team, break down the developing Metaverse landscape and discuss current trends and the drivers behind its recent high profile. Our guests also analyse what the future may look like for fina...

Series 5 Episode 2: Sustainability reporting - decoding CSRD

In this episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by Justine Dixon, a Senior Manager in PwC’s Sustainability practice, and Lucas Penfold, a Senior Manager in PwC’s Regulatory Insights team, to take an in-depth look at the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Our guests explore the details of the EU’s CSRD package and the steps firms should take to prepare as the implementation period enters a critical phase. They also exchange views on how CSRD interacts with developments in UK su...

Welcome to a brand new series of Risk & Regulation Rundown. In this episode, new host Tessa Norman is joined by David Croker, leader of PwC’s Asset and Wealth Management risk and regulatory business and a partner in PwC’s sustainability practice, and Harry Howe, a Director in PwC’s Banking team, to spotlight the ever critical role of governance in how firms respond to the evolving regulatory and economic landscape. 

Our guests look at the intensifying supervisory focus on governance, and the challenges firms need to overcome to meet the regulators’ evolving expectations. They also...

In this episode, host Andrew Strange is joined by Gordon Kemp and Stefanie Aspden, from PwC’s Risk & Regulation practice, to unpick the PRA’s proposed Basel 3.1 prudential reform package. Our guests explore some of the winners and losers of the prudential banking changes, the key considerations for firms impacted, as well as how the UK’s proposals set against the approaches taken by other international partners.

You can contact our PwC speakers if you’d like to discuss any of the topics covered, at andrew.p.strange@pwc.com, gordon.kemp@pwc.com, stefanie...

In the first episode of 2023, host Andrew Strange is joined by Conor MacManus, from PwC’s Regulatory Insights team, and Michael Huertas, a Partner in PwC Germany, to reflect on the UK’s 2023 regulatory change agenda, spotlighting key elements of the Government’s Edinburgh Reform package and sharing perspectives on the response from European policymakers and the EU financial services sector. Our guests also set out their predictions for the fortunes of the year ahead, as authorities in the UK and EU navigate a challenging political and economic environment. You can contact our PwC speakers if you’d like to discuss...

In this episode, host Andrew Strange explores the ESG regulatory agenda alongside two expert guests. Lynne Baber, a Partner leading PwC’s sustainability practice, and Lucas Penfold, from PwC’s Regulatory Insights team, join to discuss the myriad of regulatory initiatives and their impact on the financial sector, corporates, and the wider economy. Our guests also share their perspectives on how firms should be seeing this as more than a compliance exercise and can embrace it to drive long-term value creation for their businesses and wider society.

You can contact our PwC speakers if you’d like to dis...

In this episode, host Andrew Strange analyses the Operational Resilience regulatory agenda alongside two expert guests. Duncan Scott, from PwC’s Crisis and Resilience practice, and Paul Williams, a specialist adviser on Operational Resilience for PwC, join the podcast to take a look at regulatory landscape, the challenges facing firms, and the importance of embedding resilience in an increasingly volatile environment. Our experts also give their view on the future outlook for regulation in the UK and globally, the expectations of supervisors, and what this means for firms seeking to achieve resilience. You can contact our PwC speakers if you’d li...

In this episode, host Andrew Strange revisits the FCA’s Consumer Duty, alongside guests Iqy Hunjan and Ian Ody, Directors in PwC’s Consulting practice. Our expert guests navigate the FCA’s final Consumer Duty rules and guidance, exploring the key challenges facing firms in complying with the new requirements, as well as analysing the regulator’s expectations on monitoring outcomes.

Our guests also talk through the progress firms have made to date across the market, breaking down what ‘good’ looks like for firms’ implementation plans and the delivery of good outcomes for their customers.

In this episode, host Andrew Strange delves into the Metaverse world, alongside guests Yanna Zhu from PwC’s Metaverse Technologies team, and Laura Talvitie, a Senior Manager, in PwC’s FS Regulatory Insights team. Our expert guests break down the developing Metaverse landscape and discuss current trends and the drivers behind its recent high profile. Our guests also analyse what the future may look like for financial services firms grappling with the opportunities and risks the Metaverse presents, as well as what direction regulation may take in the future.

You can contact our PwC speakers if you’d like...