Tech-Positive Regulation: The FCA’s Innovation Ecosystem & Rise of RegTech

Event Description:

A New Era of Tech-Positive Regulation Is Here — Be Among the First to Explore It.

For the first time since the FCA’s groundbreaking shift from tech neutrality to tech positivity, this exclusive event invites you inside the regulator’s innovation mindset. Set in the historic Guildhall under special WCIB arrangements, we’ll go beyond the buzzwords to explore how the FCA is reimagining its role — not just as an overseer, but as an active enabler of innovation in the age of AI, RegTech, and global disruption.

A Diverse Panel for a Complex Future

This isn’t just a regulatory conversation. The panel brings together a diverse group of voices — from the FCA Innovation leadership, RegTech market pioneers, and financial institutions, to respected WCIB members and intermediary sector leaders. Together, we’ll discuss how to unlock mutual value, identify collaborative opportunities, and shape a smarter, more resilient financial ecosystem.

Discussion Highlights:

• How the FCA’s innovation ecosystem — including the Digital Sandbox, TechSprints, and AI Lab — supports safe experimentation and responsible scale
• The evolving tech-positive mindset regulators are adopting to meet the pace of change
• What collaboration between regulators, innovators, and financial firms can look like in practice
• How FCA’s leadership in global regulatory networks like GFIN is setting the tone internationally

Speakers include:

Colin Payne, Head of Innovation at the FCA

Simon Callaghan, CEO Regtech Association (TBC)

Nick Wellington, RegTech Lead Consultant, RegTech UK

Martin Watkins, CEO of Montis

Moderated by:

Kate Shcheglova, Regulatory Innovation Expert & Research Affiliate, Cambridge Judge Business School, WCIB Freeman

Alan Blanchard, Business Development Director TSO, WCIB Liveryman

Agenda:

5:30–5:45 pm: Arrival & Registration

5:45–5:46 pm: Alderman Prem Goyal OBE to welcome the guests

5:46–5:48 pm: Opening remarks by Nick Garnish, Master of WCIB

5:48–6:45 pm: Panel & Q&A: Tech-Positive Regulation & The Future of RegTech

6:45–7:45 pm: Networking & Drinks

This event is the first in a new WCIB series on regulatory innovation, with an international edition planned for autumn 2025.

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