SUP 10.1 Application

This chapter is also relevant to every approved person.

The rules in this chapter specify descriptions of functions under section 59 of the Act (Approval for particular arrangements). The effect of these rules, and the provisions of Part V of the Act (Performance of Regulated Activities), is that every firm, except an overseas firm to which SUP 10.1.6 R applies, must apply to the FSA for the approval of one or more persons to perform a controlled function on its behalf.4

The directions in this chapter relate to the manner in which a firm must apply for the FSA's approval under section 59 of the Act and other procedures.

The list of controlled functions is at SUP 10.4.5 R.

For an incoming EEA firm, incoming Treaty firm or UCITS qualifier, see SUP 10.1.9 R to SUP 10.1.15 G.

SUP 10.1.9 R reflects the provisions of section 59(8) of the Act and, in relation to an incoming Treaty firm and a UCITS qualifier, the Treaty and the UCITS Directive. It preserves the principle of Home State prudential regulation. In relation to an incoming EEA firm exercising an EEA right, or an incoming Treaty firm exercising a Treaty right, the effect is to reserve to the Home State regulator the assessment of the fitness and propriety of a person performing a function in the exercise of that right. A member of the governing body, or the notified UKbranchmanager, of an incoming EEA firm, acting in that capacity, will not therefore have to be approved by the FSA under the Act.

But an incoming EEA firm, or incoming Treaty firm, will have had to consider the impact of the Host State rules with which it is required to comply when carrying on a passported activity or Treaty activity through a branch in the United Kingdom. An incoming EEA firm will have been notified of those provisions under Part II of Schedule 3 to the Act in the course of satisfying the conditions for authorisation in the United Kingdom.

An incoming EEA firm will have to consider, for example, the position of a branch manager based in the United Kingdom who may also be performing a function in relation to the carrying on of a regulated activity not covered by the EEA right of the firm. In so far as the function is within the description of a controlled function, the firm will need to seek approval for that person to perform that controlled function.

5An incoming EEA firm may require a Part IV permission in respect, for example, of its commodities business. The list of controlled functions which apply mirror those which apply to overseas firms, without the chief executive function. In the case of a firm with top-up permission, the FSA anticipates that the equivalent responsibility of the chief executive for the relevant business would be assumed by the person performing the EEA investment business oversight function.

1. (1)

   The effect of SUP 10.1.16 R is that the directors (or their equivalent) and senior managers (or their equivalent) of an appointed representative must also be approved under section 59 of the Act for the performance of certain controlled functions.

2. (2)

   SUP 10.1.16 R has a limited application to an appointed representative appointed by a firm to carry on insurance mediation activity or home finance mediation activity6. The description of the customer functions do not apply to such an appointed representative as these functions do not apply to a firm carrying on these regulated activities.5

   6
3. (3)

   The effect of SUP 10.1.16A R is that only one director (or equivalent) of an appointed representative to which that rule applies must be approved under section 59 of the Act for the performance of a governing function.5

SUP 10.1.18 R is relevant to the person, such as a partner in a professional firm, whose only regulated activities are incidental to his professional services, and where the principal purpose of the firm is to carry on activities which are not regulated activities. Any regulated activities which that person carries on are not within the description of a controlled function (except with respect to the required functions).

For further guidance on the supervision and regulation of activities carried on by a member of a designated professional body, see PROF 5.

It will be a matter of fact in each case whether, having regard to all the circumstances, including in particular where the balance of the business lies, a firm's principal purpose is to carry on activities other than regulated activities. If a firm wishes to rely on SUP 10.1.21 R, it should be in a position to demonstrate that its principal purpose is to carry on activities other than regulated activities.

The effect of SUP 10.6.4 R is that the function of an executive member of the Council of the Society of Lloyd's comes within the description of the director function. SUP 10.1.23R (1) provides that the function of an executive member of certain committees of the Society of Lloyd's with regulatory functions also comes within the description of the director function. SUP 10.6.8 R and SUP 10.1.23R (2) are the equivalent provisions for the non-executive member of certain committees of the Society of Lloyd's with regulatory functions.

See SUP 10.10.15 R for the adviser on syndicate participation at Lloyd's function.