Financial Conduct Authority Authorisation

Getting FCA authorisation is hard work: the forms are complex, the rules are detailed and a small mistake can mean long delays or even  worst case, refusal. Using an experienced external adviser means you get the right permissions, a clear regulatory business plan, properly drafted policies and expert support with FCA questions, so your application has the best chance of being approved first time.

We help firms plan, prepare and submit robust FCA authorisation applications that meet the regulator’s expectations and minimise delays. Our team has been involved in financial services compliance since 1990 and has advised on and completed more than 250 regulatory applications, giving you the benefit of deep, practical experience.

How we help

• Clarifying if and where you need FCA authorisation, what permissions are appropriate, and how the FCA’s rules apply to your proposed activities.
• Mapping your business model to the FCA’s threshold conditions, so your structure, governance, capital and controls are clearly evidenced from the outset
• Crafting the core application narrative – including regulatory business plan, financials and risk framework – so the overall story is consistent and persuasive.

Application preparation

We work with you to build a complete, joined-up application before anything is submitted. This reduces the risk of rejection, withdrawal requests and costly rework later on.

• Drafting or refining your regulatory business plan, including activities, target clients, distribution, and growth assumptions.
• Preparing key policies and procedures (governance, compliance monitoring, conduct, financial crime, outsourcing and safeguarding, where relevant) aligned with the FCA Handbook.
• Supporting completion of the FCA forms and schedules, ensuring your permissions, controllers and approved persons information are complete and coherent.

Engagement with the FCA

Effective engagement with the FCA can significantly influence the speed and outcome of your application. We help you anticipate and respond to what the case officer will focus on.

• Managing queries and information requests from your FCA case officer, helping you provide clear, timely and well‑evidenced responses.
• Advising on how best to explain any unusual features of your model, group structure or funding so that regulatory concerns are addressed directly.
• Supporting you through any meetings or calls with the FCA during the assessment phase, ensuring you present your firm’s proposition and controls confidently.

Tailored support for your firm

No two authorisation applications are the same, so we tailor our support to your stage, sector and internal resources. You choose whether we manage the end‑to‑end process or focus on specific high‑risk areas.

• Start‑ups: end‑to‑end support from concept and permissions scoping through to first‑time authorisation.
• Established firms: support with variations of permission, changes in control and new regulated activities.​

Why firms choose us

Our team with over three decades in financial services compliance and more than 250 successful regulatory applications behind us, we bring seasoned insight to each engagement. We help reduce the risk of delay or refusal, save internal time and cost, and build a solid regulatory foundation upon which your firm can grow.