fscom (www.fscom.co) has been appointed to the FCA’s Skilled Persons Framework for 2026–2030. fscom has secured a place across three lots – Lot C (Controls and Risk Management Frameworks), Lot E (Financial Crime) and Lot I (Prudential Risk – Adequate Financial Resources for FCA Solo-Regulated Firms) and is one of a select number of firms to pass the FCA’s evaluation process and join the new framework.
The Skilled Persons Framework is a joint FCA and Bank of England panel of pre-approved firms, established under Section 166 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. It gives the FCA the power to require a regulated firm to appoint an independent Skilled Person to review and report on areas of regulatory concern. Panel firms are selected through a competitive procurement process and must demonstrate deep expertise across the relevant subject areas.
Jamie Cooke, CEO of FSCom Limited, said: “Being appointed to the FCA’s Skilled Persons Framework is something we’ve worked hard towards and we’re genuinely proud of it. The FCA sets a high bar, rightly so, and these reviews matter enormously to the firms that go through them. Our appointment across three lots – financial crime, controls and risk management, and prudential requirements for solo-regulated firms, reflects the depth and range of expertise our team applies every day. It’s a credential that carries real weight and one we take seriously.”
The three lots reflect areas where fscom has built recognised expertise over many years. Lot C covers the assessment of a firm’s systems and controls, governance structures and risk management frameworks. Lot E encompasses financial crime compliance, including anti-money laundering, sanctions, fraud and the governance of financial crime functions. Lot I addresses prudential requirements for FCA solo-regulated firms – whether a firm holds adequate financial resources to meet its regulatory obligations and threshold conditions.
Regulated firms that receive a requirement notice from the FCA can nominate fscom as their preferred Skilled Person for reviews falling within these three lots. fscom’s team which includes former regulators, experienced in-house compliance professionals and sector specialists is well placed to support firms through what can be a demanding and high stake process.
Jamie Cooke added: “Section 166 reviews are not just a compliance exercise, they provide a direct line of sight into how the FCA views a firm. Having the right Skilled Person in place, one who understands the regulatory context and can work constructively with both the firm and the FCA, can make a real difference to how a review unfolds and what comes out of it. We’re here for firms that want that kind of approach.”
For more information on fscom’s Skilled Persons capabilities, please visit www.fscom.co .
