Reports

Jim RUSAGARA

Jim RUSAGARA

Jim Rusagara is an Advocacy Manager at the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME), based in Brussels, Belgium. With a strong background in law and European politics, he has built expertise in public policy, advocacy, and regulatory affairs within the financial markets sector. Prior to joining AFME in January 2023, Jim held various roles in consulting and advocacy, including positions at EY and Instinctif Partners. His academic credentials include advanced studies in European politics and law from respected institutions such as Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and the University of Kent. At AFME, Jim focuses on representing the interests of wholesale financial markets across Europe, engaging with policymakers to influence regulatory frameworks that support stable, competitive, and sustainable capital markets

Jim Rusagara’s lobbying efforts at AFME are primarily aimed at shaping financial market regulations in a manner that benefits the UK’s financial sector post-Brexit, despite AFME’s European-wide remit. AFME serves as a critical voice for wholesale financial markets, advocating for regulatory environments that enable market competitiveness and integration. Given the UK’s historical and ongoing role as a global financial hub, AFME’s advocacy under Jim’s management seeks to ensure that UK firms retain access to European markets and that regulatory divergence does not unduly hinder cross-border financial services.

Jim’s lobbying includes detailed engagement on reforms such as MiFID II and MiFIR, which directly impact trading and investment firms operating between the UK and EU. By promoting reforms that facilitate smoother market operations and harmonized rules, Jim aims to protect the UK’s financial institutions’ ability to compete effectively within Europe. His work also involves addressing challenges related to the EU-UK trade relationship in financial services, ensuring that regulatory frameworks support sustainable capital flows and innovation while mitigating risks of market fragmentation.

Moreover, Jim’s advocacy reflects a nuanced understanding of the UK’s strategic importance to European financial markets, pushing for policies that balance regulatory oversight with competitiveness. This includes promoting initiatives for shortening securities settlement cycles and enhancing market infrastructure, which benefit UK-based firms by improving operational efficiency and reducing costs. Jim’s role involves not only direct lobbying but also coordinating with other stakeholders to present a unified industry voice that supports the UK’s financial market interests within the EU policy landscape

Jim Rusagara’s lobbying activities are centered in Brussels, where he engages regularly with European Union institutions, including the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the EU. His meetings with key policymakers focus on shaping financial regulatory reforms and post-Brexit arrangements affecting the UK’s market access.

Notable activities include participation in consultations and advocacy campaigns related to MiFID II/MiFIR reforms, where AFME has provided detailed implementation guides and responses to ensure that UK firms operating in wholesale secondary markets face minimal disruption. Jim has been involved in discussions around the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), addressing cybersecurity and operational risks in financial services, which also impact UK entities operating in the EU.

He has attended high-level meetings coinciding with EU-UK summits, where AFME welcomed outcomes that support continued cooperation and market integration between the two jurisdictions. These engagements have helped influence regulatory decisions that maintain competitive conditions for UK financial institutions, such as advocating for equivalence decisions and mutual recognition arrangements.

Jim’s lobbying also extends to promoting initiatives like the T+1 settlement cycle, which shortens securities settlement times and benefits market participants including those based in the UK by improving liquidity and reducing counterparty risk. Through these activities, Jim has contributed to shaping policies that align with the interests of UK financial markets while fostering a stable European financial ecosystem.

His efforts are backed by comprehensive policy analysis, stakeholder coordination, and public policy submissions, demonstrating a consistent push for regulatory frameworks that support the UK’s role in European capital markets. This extensive lobbying portfolio underscores Jim’s commitment to ensuring that the UK remains a key player in Europe’s financial landscape post-Brexit

This contact information provides multiple channels to reach Jim Rusagara for advocacy or policy-related inquiries related to AFME’s lobbying activities

X-twitter Youtube