AFC Conference to tackle industry’s response to growing regulatory pressure

The upcoming Asset Finance Connect (AFC) UK Autumn Conference, taking place on November 26th at County Hall in London and headline sponsored by FIS, promises to be a pivotal event for the auto, equipment, and asset finance industry.

With mounting regulatory pressures from both UK and European authorities, industry leaders will gather to discuss how they can better manage increasing intervention from regulators and policymakers. The keynote plenary session will focus on the challenges and opportunities posed by these developments.

As the UK’s economic future remains in focus, Labour leader Keir Starmer has outlined his vision for the country’s economic renewal. Following the King’s Speech in July, Starmer pledged to “take the brakes off Britain” and foster sustained economic growth through stability, a new partnership with business, and key reforms including a national wealth fund and planning changes. However, the asset finance industry faces a complex balancing act between supporting economic recovery and navigating rising regulatory demands.

The challenge of regulatory intervention

Mario Draghi, former President of the European Central Bank, has pointed to over-regulation in the European Union as a major cause of lagging economic performance compared to the United States.

The new Labour government has committed to reforming the regulatory landscape. The goal is to create a regime that is both efficient and proportionate, aligned with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority’s (PRA) objectives of promoting competitiveness and growth.

However, recent research by AFC highlights growing concern among UK and EU lenders about the rising levels of regulatory intervention. These pressures are driving up compliance risks and costs as policymakers seek to ensure better outcomes for consumers, employees, and the environment. As regulators push for higher standards, the asset finance industry must adapt to meet these demands without stifling growth.

Keynote plenary: Industry and policy leaders in focus

The conference’s keynote plenary session will take an in-depth look at these issues, featuring interviews with key asset and auto policy leaders in UK and Europe. Stephen Haddrill, Director General of the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), and Isak Bengtzboe, Chief Policy Advisor at Eurofinas, will provide insights into how the new Labour government’s approach to regulation can shape the future of the industry.

One of the key questions to be addressed is whether Labour’s dual aim of stimulating the economy while protecting consumers and the environment offers the auto and asset finance industry an opportunity to forge new partnerships with policymakers. The session will also explore whether current attempts to streamline regulation are radical enough to safeguard consumers and ensure the long-term viability of the auto and equipment finance sectors.

Panel discussion: Insights from industry practitioners

Following the keynote interviews, a panel discussion moderated by David Betteley, Head of Content at Asset Finance Connect and featuring prominent industry leaders will offer practical insights. Speakers will include Graham Wheeler, former head of the motor finance working group at the FLA and CEO of Advantage Finance; Wayne Gibbard, Partner at Shoosmiths; and Mike Randall, CEO of Simply Asset Finance.

With regulatory intervention continuing to rise, the conference aims to answer critical questions about the future direction of asset finance regulation. As the industry seeks to balance economic growth with compliance and sustainability goals, the discussions at the AFC Autumn Conference will be instrumental in shaping how businesses and policymakers collaborate to ensure a stable and prosperous future.

This year’s conference, headline sponsored by FIS, is set to be a must-attend event for anyone involved in the auto and asset finance sector, offering a unique platform to engage with the issues that will define the industry’s future in the UK and beyond. Find out more and register to attend at the AFC UK Autumn Conference website.