The FCA issued a Dear CEO letter to wholesale general insurance firms on 6 January, setting out its expectations for tackling non-financial misconduct in wholesale general insurance sector. 

Firstly, we need to establish what a wholesale general insurance firm is. For typical ATEB clients these will be brokers that act as an intermediary between a retail broker and an insurer. 

The letter outlines cultural risks that can lead to consumer harm including discrimination, harassment, victimisation and bullying that create a negative culture. 

The FCA sets out its expectations under the following key drivers:

• leadership;
• purpose;
• approach to rewarding and managing people; and
• governance, systems and controls.

All of the above flows from a healthy culture that starts ‘from the top’ i.e. the competence and capability, honesty, integrity and reputation of the senior managers. It is no surprise then that the FCA makes reference to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime in this context:

“The SM&CR provides an opportunity and catalyst
  to transform the culture in financial services.”

Evidence of failure to tackle non-financial misconduct could lead to the FCA determining that a Senior Manager is not fit and proper to fulfil a senior manager role. 

The FCA expects a firm to have clear purpose, providing clarity of direction that mitigates inconsistencies between strategy and practice. They are keen to highlight the expectation of strong whistleblowing processes and appropriate incentive structures. 

The FCA will hold regular events and aim to identify and share knowledge that supports change in culture. To encourage firms to become involved in future events and receive emails they have set up the following link to register.