As part of its transformation to a more innovative and assertive regulator, more decisions will be taken by the FCA’s senior managers rather than by the Regulatory Decisions Committee (RDC).

The new process will ensure decisions to prevent or stop consumer harm are taken more quickly.

More contentious cases will continue to be reviewed by the RDC, which is a committee of the FCA’s Board that operates separately from the regulator. Its members are drawn from business, consumer and financial services backgrounds.

The FCA’s senior managers are now able to take decisions on the following:

• A firm’s authorisation or an individual’s approval
• Action in straightforward cases to cancel a firm’s permissions and that action is contested
• Starting civil proceedings, such as seeking an injunction
• Starting criminal proceedings, such as a prosecution for insider dealing
• Using the FCA’s powers to vary or limit a firm’s permissions
• Using the FCA’s powers to impose requirements on a firm

Emily Shepperd, executive director of authorisations, said: “We are taking a fresh approach to tackling firms and individuals who do not meet the required standards. Our new streamlined decision-making process will allow us to be more assertive in stopping harm.”

The FCA will carry out a six-month post-implementation review to assess the effectiveness of the reforms.