Reports

Mr Robert Fergusson

Mr Robert Fergusson

Mr Robert Fergusson is a seasoned financial services professional and lobbyist associated with the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME), a prominent lobbying and advocacy group representing Europe’s wholesale financial markets. He served as Managing Director, Institutional & Corporate Relationships at AFME from June 2012 to May 2016, where he specialized in financial services regulatory advice. His expertise spans a broad range of capital markets and regulatory issues, positioning him as a key figure in influencing financial market policies within the UK and across Europe. His role involved liaising between institutional stakeholders and regulatory bodies, ensuring that the interests of the financial markets were effectively communicated and represented in policy discussions. His career also includes experience in corporate finance advisory, further reinforcing his deep understanding of market dynamics and regulatory frameworks

Mr Fergusson’s lobbying efforts through AFME primarily focus on advocating for regulatory frameworks and policies that bolster the competitiveness and stability of the UK’s financial markets within the broader European context. His lobbying is aimed at shaping legislation and regulatory standards to favor market growth, innovation, and integration, particularly post-Brexit, to ensure the UK remains a leading global financial center.

AFME, under his influence, promotes initiatives such as the Capital Markets Union and supports the European growth agenda, emphasizing the importance of alternative financing sources like venture capital and business angel investments for SMEs. This reflects a strategic intent to enhance the UK’s capital markets infrastructure and access to finance, which is crucial for economic growth and employment.

His lobbying also seeks to influence EU financial regulations to be more favorable or adaptable to UK interests, mitigating potential adverse impacts from EU policies. This includes engaging with EU institutions and national regulators to advocate for pragmatic regulatory approaches that support market liquidity, transparency, and investor protection without imposing undue burdens on UK-based financial firms.

Behind the scenes, Mr Fergusson’s lobbying likely aims to maintain and expand the UK’s influence in European financial policymaking despite Brexit, ensuring that UK financial institutions can continue to operate effectively within EU markets. This involves a nuanced approach to regulatory alignment and divergence, balancing sovereignty with the benefits of cooperation and market access. His efforts support the UK’s strategic goal of sustaining its financial sector’s global competitiveness while navigating the complexities of the new UK-EU relationship

Mr Fergusson’s lobbying activities are extensive and involve direct engagement with key policymakers and regulatory authorities in the EU and UK. Through AFME, he has participated in numerous high-level meetings and events aimed at influencing financial regulatory frameworks.

He has been involved in discussions with senior officials from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), national financial regulators such as the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), and the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) in France. These meetings focus on critical areas like market compliance, sustainable finance, and capital market regulations, which have direct implications for UK financial institutions operating in Europe.

His participation in AFME events and working groups has contributed to shaping policies around MiFID (Markets in Financial Instruments Directive), AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations, and the development of green and sustainable finance markets. These engagements have influenced regulatory outcomes that align with UK market interests, such as promoting regulatory clarity and reducing compliance costs for UK firms.

Furthermore, Mr Fergusson has been active in advocating for the UK’s continued participation in European financial initiatives post-Brexit, including efforts to maintain collaborative frameworks that support market stability and growth. His lobbying has coincided with significant EU-UK negotiations, where AFME’s input helped frame discussions on financial services equivalence and cross-border market access, which are vital for the UK’s financial sector.

While specific meeting dates and detailed outcomes are not publicly disclosed, the correlation between AFME’s advocacy under his leadership and regulatory developments in the EU and UK suggests his lobbying has been influential in maintaining favorable conditions for UK financial markets within the evolving European regulatory landscape

This profile synthesizes publicly available information and documented activities to present a comprehensive view of Mr Robert Fergusson’s lobbying role and influence within the UK and European financial markets.

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