Our work is focused on the priorities of our members and where our cross-sectoral remit can add the most value - international trade and investment; long-term competitiveness; UK regions and nations; industry trust and reputation, sustainability, and defence and resilience. We provide a wide range of research that helps shape the debate and influence policy for UK-based financial and related professional services.
Our latest report, produced in partnership with Freshfields, outlines strategies to attract large-scale private investment into UK infrastructure. It proposes improving financial and regulatory frameworks and highlights the importance of exporting British expertise to global markets. The report urges joint efforts between government and industry to reinforce the UK's position in infrastructure and foster international growth.
The IRSG has responded to the FCA’s CP26/5 consultation, supporting the introduction of UK Sustainability Reporting Standards aligned with ISSB standards and a move away from the current TCFD-aligned rules.
The IRSG welcomes the FCA’s principles-based approach to regulating ESG ratings providers, emphasising proportionality, international coherence and clarity to foster transparency, competition and innovation. It also calls for ongoing dialogue and practical guidance to ensure consistent implementation and high-quality ESG ratings in a globally aligned market.
This economic research report highlights the importance of services to Britain’s overall economic position. It also displays the significant contribution of Britain's regions and nations to the growth of financial and related professional services exports, with nearly half of exports originating outside London.
Our response welcomes the government’s aim to reform leasehold and commonhold, but raises serious concerns about the draft Bill’s retrospective changes, arbitrary ground rent cap and unintended consequences for pension savers and retirement housing. We recommend a more targeted approach using the new property register to distinguish between owner-occupiers and private landlords, ensuring reforms benefit those most in need.
Read our response to the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) review into the long-term impact of AI on retail financial services (The Mills Review), which outlines our members’ perspectives regarding the potential for AI to transform UK retail financial services in the medium to long term, and provides recommendations for regulators and firms to facilitate responsible innovation at this stage.
As part of our work to build a nation of investors, we’ve responded to the FCA’s consultation on client categorisation. The proposed reforms would modernise how retail and professional clients are defined, ensuring protections and access to investment better reflect investors’ experience, resilience and risk awareness.
Our response highlights how the proposed reforms to non-compete clauses threaten to undermine the UK’s competitiveness and its appeal as a destination for business, investment and talent. Restricting such clauses would counteract the government’s policy objectives, especially in knowledge-intensive industries where their benefits are well established.
Read the responses from the International Regulatory Strategy Group (IRSG) to the FCA consultation papers 25/40: Regulating Cryptoasset Activities, and 25/41 Regulating Cryptoassets: Admissions & Disclosures and Market Abuse Regime for Cryptoassets
