Mr Mark Bearman

Mark Bearman is a seasoned financial regulatory expert currently serving as Director in the Prudential Regulation Division at the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME). His expertise centers on regulatory capital and liquidity standards, particularly those arising from Basel III and the Capital Requirements Directive IV (CRD4), as well as broader prudential regulatory frameworks. With academic qualifications in Economics and Financial Services and professional credentials as an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Bearman brings a strong background in banking supervision and risk assessment. Before joining AFME in 2011, he gained substantial experience at KPMG, focusing on Basel II implementation and liquidity risk management, and worked at the Financial Services Authority overseeing wholesale banking groups. His role at AFME places him at the nexus of financial regulatory developments in Europe, where he advocates on behalf of capital markets participants to influence regulatory outcomes

Mark Bearman’s lobbying efforts through AFME are deeply aligned with promoting the interests of the UK’s financial markets within the European regulatory landscape. AFME represents a broad coalition of wholesale financial market participants, including major banks, investment firms, and capital market intermediaries, many of which are headquartered or have significant operations in the UK. Bearman’s focus on prudential regulation—capital adequacy, liquidity standards, and risk management—is critical for ensuring that UK financial institutions remain competitive and resilient under evolving EU regulatory regimes.

His lobbying strategy involves shaping the implementation of Basel III and CRD4 standards to avoid overly burdensome capital and liquidity requirements that could disadvantage UK banks relative to their European counterparts. This includes advocating for regulatory frameworks that recognize the unique structure of UK financial markets and support their global competitiveness. Behind this, there is a clear intention to maintain the UK’s status as a leading global financial center by influencing EU regulations to be flexible and proportionate, preventing regulatory fragmentation post-Brexit.

Furthermore, Bearman’s background in banking supervision and risk consultancy informs his nuanced approach to engaging policymakers, emphasizing evidence-based regulatory adjustments that balance financial stability with market efficiency. His role also involves countering regulatory proposals perceived as threatening to the UK’s financial sector, such as those that might increase costs or reduce market liquidity. This lobbying extends to ensuring that UK interests are represented in EU discussions on digital operational resilience and cyber security, areas increasingly critical to the financial sector’s future

Mark Bearman’s lobbying activities are extensive and multifaceted, involving direct engagement with EU institutions, member state regulators, and industry stakeholders to advocate for regulatory outcomes favorable to the UK financial sector. As a key figure at AFME, he participates in numerous meetings and consultations with European Commission officials, the European Parliament, and the European Banking Authority, focusing on prudential regulation and risk management standards.

For example, Bearman has been actively involved in discussions around the Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) relief for repo trades, a technical but impactful regulatory issue where UK banks have a significant stake. His engagement in these talks reflects efforts to preserve favorable liquidity treatment for UK financial institutions, demonstrating how his lobbying directly influences regulatory decisions that affect market operations.

Additionally, Bearman’s role includes contributing to policy debates on the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and related cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring that UK market realities and innovation priorities are factored into EU legislation. These meetings often involve coordinated input from AFME members, aligning UK financial interests with broader European market considerations.

While specific meeting records are not publicly detailed, AFME’s transparency disclosures and Bearman’s professional profile indicate frequent interactions with EU policymakers and regulators. These engagements have contributed to shaping regulatory frameworks that balance prudential safeguards with market competitiveness, often reflecting the lobbying positions advocated by Bearman and AFME on behalf of UK financial markets.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0)20 3828 2675
LinkedIn: Mark Bearman – AFME (linkedin.com/in/mark-bearman-92b74746)
Organization Website: www.afme.eu

This profile synthesizes publicly available information about Mr. Mark Bearman’s role and activities as a lobbyist for AFME, highlighting his focus on advancing UK financial market interests within the EU regulatory framework