Neil Hodge
Neil Hodge is a freelance business journalist and photographer based in Nottingham, United Kingdom. He writes on insurance and risk management, corporate governance, internal audit, compliance, and legal issues for a wide range of publications in the United Kingdom and United States.
PremiumU.K. data regulator pushes transparency on investigations
Plans to increase transparency around how the U.K.’s Information Commissioner investigates and fines companies should give businesses more clarity, but experts say the regulator still needs to explain how it will prioritize cases.
ArticleFRC’s plans for more flexible enforcement gains support
Plans to give the U.K.’s audit regulator more options to regulate firms for sloppy work have been largely well received by experts, who believe the current system is “inflexible,” “cumbersome,” and “slow.”
ArticleU.K. outlines AI sandbox plan as regulators weigh compliance risks
The U.K. has set out a new blueprint for AI regulation, which aims to slash bureaucracy and ramp up the safe adoption of new and emerging technology to unlock potential and boost investment.
PremiumU.K. proposed changes to AML supervision
The U.K.’s financial services regulator will take a more central role as part of the government’s plans to simplify—and improve—efforts to clamp down on money laundering and terrorist financing.
PremiumCompliance survey shows clawback policies and cooperation tools largely unused
Many companies have strong compliance policies to encourage cooperation with regulators and hold staff accountable, but these policies are rarely used, and cooperation often depends on cost and business benefit, according to a new survey of compliance professionals.
ArticleComplying with the EU Data Act – What companies should know
Companies could face significant compliance challenges in trying to meet new EU legal requirements about how companies share data with third parties.
PremiumNew EU Data Act may impact companies’ GDPR compliance efforts
New rules that have recently come into effect across the EU will allow for greater transfers of data between companies, though experts fear the changes could conflict with Europe’s strict privacy legislation, which protects personal information.
ArticleEmployee use of ‘shadow AI’ poses significant risks for companies
Companies face increased risk of cyberattacks, data loss, and even regulatory action because employees are using unapproved “shadow AI” tools to help with work-related tasks.
News BriefAMLA: What difference will the agency make in the EU’s fight against moneylaundering?
Europe’s massive financial sector has become a magnet for illicit money flowing through its banks and markets. A new EU agency will be taking the problem head-on to fight against money laundering.
PremiumShadow AI: Another element of TPRM
Companies may face significant financial and legal risks if they fail to vet suppliers and third parties over their use of unauthorized AI and how the technology may use and share their corporate data.
ArticleTough reporting rules makes compliance key issue for chemicals industries
Wide-ranging and overlapping regulations across multiple jurisdictions present potentially massive compliance headaches for companies working in the chemicals industry, especially as regulators increasingly focus on environmental reporting linked to the lifecycle of some products.
ArticleEmployee faith in whistleblowing programs wanes when companies act selectively
Whistleblowing hotlines are rightly championed as valuable tools for employees and even third parties to raise concerns about corporate conduct. But it seems some complaints may be acted upon more keenly than others, particularly if blame can be pinned to one individual and any potential fallout can be ring-fenced.
ArticleU.K. enforcement appetite over off-channel comms grows as U.S. wanes
The U.K’.s financial regulator has given a strong indication that financial firms’ use of unauthorized devices and apps is under scrutiny and that policies around off-channel communications need to be tightened up.
ArticleGeopolitical risks among compliance concerns for metals, mining companies
Companies working in the metals and mining sectors face increased compliance checks due to efforts to clamp down on abuses in the supply chain, while “volatile” geopolitical changes make sourcing and transporting raw materials more difficult and expensive.
ArticleU.K. to introduce mandatory ransomware reporting, raising risk of ‘box-ticking’ compliance
The U.K. will require companies to report ransomware payments, but experts warn this could lead to “box-tick” compliance rather than real cyber-resiliency, since it’s cheaper.
ArticleEU targets crypto, fintech firms in push to tackle money laundering
Europe’s banking regulator warns that weak compliance at fintech, regtech, and crypto firms may let money laundering and terrorist financing risks slip through. The EBA also found EU regulators’ approaches are often inconsistent and unclear.
PremiumEmployees may fail to report fraud unless U.K. whistleblower protection is beefed up
In September, the U.K. will enforce its third “failure to prevent” offense under sweeping anti-corporate crime laws, but experts question whether it will actually change corporate behavior or embolden whistleblowers.
ArticleU.K. proposes streamlining regime meant to hold fin serve executives to account
When growth slows, governments often cut rules to attract investment, as the U.K. has in its financial services sector, which contributes 8.8% of GDP, but easing the “compliance burden” raises concerns about oversight, governance, and prioritizing profits over safety.
ArticleU.K. regulator urges auditors to explain AI use in audits
Plans to push audit firms to disclose how they use AI in audits have been broadly welcomed, but concerns remain over how corporate data is used, secured, retained, and potentially exposed.
Article10 tips to comply with the U.K.’s new data law
Changes to the U.K.’s privacy regime will immediately affect how companies handle AI-driven decisions, cookie usage, and responses to data subject requests. As a result, experts are warning compliance teams to ensure their organizations take the legislation seriously and make plans to review data governance.