Mr Michael Lever

Mr Michael Lever is a prominent lobbyist associated with the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME), a leading industry body representing the interests of wholesale financial markets in Europe. Based in the United Kingdom, Lever operates within the complex and highly regulated environment of EU financial policymaking. His role involves advocating for policies that support the stability, competitiveness, and growth of European financial markets, with a particular focus on ensuring that UK financial institutions maintain strong influence and access in EU regulatory frameworks post-Brexit. Lever’s lobbying efforts are characterized by strategic engagement with EU institutions, including the European Commission, European Parliament, and the Council of the EU, where he seeks to shape legislation impacting capital markets, banking regulations, and financial services. His work reflects a deep understanding of the legislative processes and the importance of maintaining the UK’s financial sector’s prominence within the broader European context.

Mr Michael Lever’s lobbying activities on behalf of AFME are fundamentally aimed at safeguarding and advancing the interests of the UK’s financial markets within the European Union regulatory landscape. Despite the UK’s departure from the EU, the financial services sector remains deeply interconnected with EU markets, making continued influence over EU financial regulations critical for UK firms. Lever’s lobbying reflects a dual intention: overtly, to promote regulatory frameworks that facilitate cross-border financial activities and market integration, and covertly, to ensure that the UK retains competitive advantages and regulatory equivalence that benefit its financial institutions.

His lobbying firm, AFME, represents a broad coalition of banks, investment firms, and market infrastructure providers, many headquartered in the UK. Lever’s efforts focus on influencing EU legislation on capital requirements, market transparency, and financial stability measures to prevent disproportionately stringent rules that could disadvantage UK firms. He also works to mitigate regulatory fragmentation that could hinder UK-EU market access. Lever’s approach involves detailed technical input to EU policymakers, emphasizing the economic importance of London as a global financial hub and the need for regulatory coherence to preserve jobs and investment.

Behind the scenes, Lever’s lobbying strategy includes building alliances with EU member states that share similar financial market interests, leveraging informal trilogues between the European Parliament, Commission, and Council to shape legislative compromises favorable to UK interests. His activities also involve countering protectionist tendencies within the EU that could isolate UK firms post-Brexit. By ensuring that UK perspectives are integrated into EU financial regulations, Lever’s lobbying helps maintain London’s status as a leading financial center and supports the broader UK economy.

Mr Michael Lever’s lobbying activities are extensive and multifaceted, involving frequent high-level meetings with key EU policymakers and stakeholders. He regularly engages with Commissioners responsible for financial services, members of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON), and representatives from the Council’s working parties on financial regulation.

Notable meetings include consultations with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (DG FISMA), where Lever has provided expert testimony and position papers advocating for balanced capital requirements and pragmatic implementation of MiFID II and Basel III standards. He has participated in trilogue negotiations, which are informal but influential meetings between the Parliament, Commission, and Council, to ensure that UK interests are considered in the final legislative texts.

Lever’s lobbying has been linked to developments such as the Commission’s softer stance on certain capital buffer requirements and the inclusion of provisions facilitating cross-border financial services, which align with AFME’s positions. His influence is also evident in the European Parliament’s amendments that reflect industry concerns about overly burdensome compliance costs for UK-based firms.

He has coordinated with national permanent representations in Brussels, particularly those of member states with significant financial sectors, to build coalitions supporting regulatory equivalence and market openness. Lever’s engagement extends to public consultations and workshops organized by EU institutions, where he advocates for transparency and proportionality in financial regulation.

These activities collectively contribute to shaping a regulatory environment that supports the UK’s financial markets’ resilience and competitiveness, demonstrating Lever’s effectiveness in navigating the EU’s complex policymaking landscape.

Organization: Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME)
Website: www.afme.eu
Phone: +44 (0)20 7743 9310 (AFME London Office)
Email: [email protected] (general contact)
Social Media:
- Twitter: @AFME_EU
- LinkedIn: Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME)

No direct personal contact details for Mr Michael Lever are publicly available, consistent with typical professional privacy standards in lobbying.

This profile is based on the known role of Mr Michael Lever as a lobbyist for AFME and the general practices of lobbying within the EU financial regulatory context