The volume of new regulations, proposals and the pace of legislatory change in the UK and EU makes the compliance environment ambiguous and difficult to navigate. Businesses need to consider the ongoing implications of Brexit, the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the FCA's introduction of Consumer Duty, and Deposit Return Schemes (DRS), to name just a few.
As well as businesses having to meet those compliance obligations in the context of evolving financial regulations, volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, there is a need to stay prepared for challenge from internal and external stakeholders, and potential investigations.
The multitude of factors that can result in corporate investigations is growing on a global scale. Be it at the request of regulators, social media pressure, or simply to demonstrate your organisation’s desire for transparency in respect of Sustainable Business and ESG objectives. What is clear is that companies are facing ever-increasing sustainability expectations and demands, along with the increased threat of reputational damage, and must be proactive in identifying unethical conduct before the commencement of an external investigation and public scrutiny.
Importantly, we believe that regulation can be a differentiator. It can and should help businesses to innovate, stand out and create trust with their customers, rather than simply being a cost of doing business. Trust, transparency, accountability, disclosure, comparability, good conduct and an ethical culture are all themes that are increasingly important to your clients and customers, how they choose their partners, and how regulators evaluate businesses.
However, issues do slip through the net and our team are here to help you get back on track if that is the case. In addition, we can operate as trusted advisors to help your business not simply comply with regulation, but to prosper by shaping your business to align with the aims of better customer and societal outcomes.
