Senior Managers & Certification Regime in 2026 - Compliance Update

Introduction

The Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR) continues to evolve as the FCA and PRA refine their expectations of firms’ governance, accountability, and culture. This 2026 update reflects a number of key developments arising from post-Consumer Duty supervision, ongoing focus on non-financial misconduct, and the regulators’ increasing emphasis on personal accountability and culture transformation.

This new virtual classroom seminar will provide a comprehensive update for those with senior management or compliance responsibilities within FCA and/or PRA-regulated firms, including compliance, HR and risk professionals; legal and governance specialists; and directors and board members. It will explore both practical implementation challenges and the latest regulatory expectations, ensuring attendees can confidently assess their firm’s readiness and compliance.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

• Rules/Guidance:
• FCA and PRA approach to SM&CR - key principles and scope
• SYSC 24-26 updates and FCA/PRA joint statements
• The fit and proper test (FIT) - revised expectations
• Certification regime - maintaining competence and re-certification best practice
• Conduct Rules - updates, training expectations, and reporting obligations
• Interaction with the Consumer Duty and culture initiatives
• FCA and PRA enforcement trends under SM&CR
• Latest Developments:
• 2025-26 FCA/PRA joint review of SM&CR effectiveness
• Expanding scope for holding companies and third-country branches
• Expectations on non-financial misconduct and personal behaviour
• Integration of SM&CR with ESG and diversity & inclusion accountability
• Updated statements of responsibilities and management responsibilities maps
• FCA and PRA feedback on culture, leadership, and psychological safety
• Recent enforcement actions and lessons learned

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.