Emily Shepperd, chief operating officer of the Financial Conduct Authority, recently unveiled the key themes of the regulator’s five-year strategy for 2025–30 in her speech to the TheCityUK National Conference in Birmingham.

The strategy focuses on creating a fairer and more resilient financial system. As expected, a key focus area involves tackling financial crime, particularly fraudulent activity and money laundering. However, this ambitious plan prompts questions about whether it marks a significant shift or is merely a continuation of previous efforts.