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    2021-11-30

SUP 10C.3 1General material about the definition of controlled functions

Purpose

SUP 10C.3.1GRP

This section has general provisions that apply to the definition of all controlled functions.

Types of controlled function

SUP 10C.3.2GRP
SUP 10C.3.3GRP

All the controlled functions that the FCA has specified in this chapter are designated senior management functions. The FCA has not, in this chapter, used its power to specify controlled functions that are not designated senior management functions.

SUP 10C.3.4GRP

The FCA has (in SUP 10A (FCA Approved Persons in Appointed Representatives)4) specified controlled functions for SMCR firms3 that are not designated senior management functions. 4

SUP 10C.3.5GRP
  1. (1)

    Except as described in SUP 10C.3.4G, in this chapter, FCA controlled function and FCA-designated senior management function cover the same functions.

  2. (2)

    Therefore, a function is only covered by SUP 10C.4.3R (Table of FCA-designated senior management 2functions3) if that function meets both the following sets of requirements:

    1. (a)

      the requirements of SUP 10C.3.6R (Definition of FCA controlled function: arrangements); and

    2. (b)

      the requirements of SUP 10C.3.10R (Definition of FCA-designated senior management function).

Definition of FCA controlled function: arrangements

SUP 10C.3.6RRP

In accordance with section 59 of the Act (Approval for particular arrangements), a function specified in this chapter is an FCA controlled function only to the extent that it is performed under an arrangement entered into by:

  1. (1)

    a firm; or

  2. (2)

    a contractor of the firm;

in relation to the carrying on by the firm of a regulated activity.

SUP 10C.3.7GRP

Section 59(1) and (2) of the Act provide that approval is necessary for an FCA controlled function which is performed under an arrangement entered into by a firm, or its contractor (typically an appointed representative), in relation to a regulated activity.

SUP 10C.3.8GRP
  1. (1)

    Arrangement is defined in section 59(10) of the Act as any kind of arrangement for the performance of a function which is entered into by a firm or any of its contractors with another person.

  2. (2)

    Arrangement includes the appointment of a person to an office, a person becoming a partner, or a person's employment (whether under a contract of service or otherwise).

  3. (3)

    An arrangement need not be a written contract but could arise by conduct, custom and practice.

SUP 10C.3.9GRP

If a firm is a member of a group, a person employed elsewhere in the group (for example, by the holding company) who carries out a function in relation to the firm will only perform an FCA controlled function:

  1. (1)

    if the function is performed under an arrangement entered into by the firm (under section 59(1)); or

  2. (2)

    if:

    1. (a)

      there is a contract (under section 59(2)) between the firm and the relevant group member permitting this; and

    2. (b)

      the function is performed under an arrangement entered into by the contractor.

Definition of FCA-designated senior management function

SUP 10C.3.10RRP

Each FCA-designated senior management function is one which comes within the definition of a senior management function.

SUP 10C.3.11GRP

Section 59ZA(2) of the Act says that a function is a ‘senior management function’, in relation to the carrying on of a regulated activity by a firm, if:

  1. (1)

    the function will require the person performing it to be responsible for managing one or more aspects of the firm's affairs, so far as relating to the activity; and

  2. (2)

    those aspects involve, or might involve, a risk of serious consequences:

    1. (a)

      for the firm; or

    2. (b)

      for business or other interests in the United Kingdom.

SUP 10C.3.12GRP

Section 59ZA(3) of the Act says that ‘managing’ includes, for these purposes, taking decisions, or participating in the taking of decisions, about how one or more aspects of the firm's affairs should be carried on.

The 12-week rule

SUP 10C.3.13RRP

If:

  1. (1)

    a firm appoints an individual to perform a function which, but for this rule, would be an FCA-designated senior management function;

  2. (2)

    the appointment is to provide cover for an SMF manager whose absence is:

    1. (a)

      temporary; or

    2. (b)

      reasonably unforeseen; and

  3. (3)

    the appointment is for less than 12 weeks in a consecutive 12-month period;

the description of the relevant FCA-designated senior management function does not relate to those activities of that individual.

SUP 10C.3.14GRP

SUP 10C.3.13R enables cover to be given for (as an example) holidays and emergencies and avoids the need for the precautionary approval of, for example, a deputy. However, as soon as it becomes apparent that a person will be performing an FCA-designated senior management function for more than 12 weeks, the firm should apply for approval.

SUP 10C.3.15GRP

See SUP 10C.12.7G to SUP 10C.12.14G (time-limited approvals) for procedures for temporary appointments longer than 12 weeks.

SUP 10C.3.16G
  1. (1)

    3A firm to which SYSC 26 (Senior managers and certification regime: Overall and local responsibility) applies may have allocated responsibilities under that chapter to an SMF manager who is absent under SUP 10C.3.13R.

  2. (2)

    SYSC 26.4.6R (Exclusion where the 12-week rule applies) deals with how those responsibilities may be reallocated during the SMF manager’s absence.

  3. (3)

    SYSC 26.4.8G explains that SYSC 26.4.6R and SUP 10C.3.13R apply to a person performing the other overall responsibility function or the other local responsibility function as well as to other designated senior management functions.

SUP 10C.3.17G
  1. (1)

    3If:

    1. (a)

      a firm allocates any FCA-prescribed senior management responsibilities to an SMF manager; and

    2. (b)

      the SMF manager later becomes absent;

    the firm should reallocate them to another SMF manager.

  2. (2)

    The firm may not allocate the absent manager’s FCA-prescribed senior management responsibilities to the person providing cover for that manager unless the person providing cover is also an SMF manager of the firm.