From 1 September 2026, the FCA’s final guidance on non-financial misconduct is in effect.
The new framework makes clear that bullying, harassment, violence and other serious misconduct are regulatory conduct issues that can affect fitness and propriety, reporting obligations and senior management accountability.
Meanwhile, the Enhancing Financial Services Bill and the next phase of SMCR reform is gathering pace. As Phase 2 develops, firms may see a move away from some process-driven requirements, including possible changes to the Certification Regime and Senior Management Function approvals.
VinciWorks compliance experts delivered a practical, implementation-focused webinar on what the FCA’s new rules for financial services firms need to do next.
We examined how firms can update their non-financial misconduct frameworks in a way that is proportionate, evidence-based and legally defensible. The session looked at how to prepare for SMCR Phase 2 reforms.
What this session covered:
- What the FCA’s final guidance on non-financial misconduct changes from 1 September 2026
- When private life conduct, social media activity or repeated behaviour may become relevant to fitness and propriety
- How to avoid over-investigation, disproportionate responses, or increased tribunal risk
- What managers, HR teams and compliance teams need to know about escalation and evidence
- How to align policies, investigations, conduct rules training and fitness and propriety assessments
- What SMCR Phase 2 reform under the Enhancing Financial Services Bill could mean for internal governance and accountability
- Practical steps firms should take now to prepare for the new regime
