All articles by Neil Hodge
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OpinionExperts outline core skills compliance teams need to develop in 2026
Compliance teams will face a range of ongoing challenges in the coming year, as well as greater demands from boards and management for better, wider, and more real-time assurance on an increasing range of risk topics.
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ArticleU.K. sets out strategy to combat bribery and corruption
The U.K. is introducing tougher safeguards and compliance checks in its latest drive to cut down on financial crime and stem the flow of dirty money that continues to be laundered by British businesses, facilitated by accountants and lawyers.
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ArticleFCA indicates path for future crypto regulation
The U.K.’s financial regulator has proposed a set of rules to regulate the growing crypto industry after recognising that consumers are interested in exploring the market despite persistent warnings about price volatility, the high-risk of losses, and investment scams.
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ArticleSFO guidance on evaluating compliance programs short on specifics, experts say
Companies looking for greater certainty about how they might avoid criminal prosecution for bribery, fraud, and corruption offences may find they’re going to be disappointed if they’re looking for definitive answers in the latest guidance from the U.K.’s main fraud investigator, say experts.
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ArticleEU loosens AI and data rules
Europe has been at the forefront of designing strong—but flexible—rules around data use and the safe development of AI, but the EU recently announced plans to simplify some key measures around data privacy and AI governance, which have met with mixed responses.
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PremiumFCA helps firms to test Artificial Intelligence tools safely
The U.K.’s financial regulator has set up a live-testing environment so that firms can road-test their Artificial Intelligence (AI) services safely before launching them to the public.
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ArticleSFO sharpens framework for judging compliance programs in bribery and fraud cases
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has updated its guidance about how it evaluates corporate compliance programs when considering whether to prosecute or offer leniency to companies that have breached bribery and corruption laws.
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PremiumEU moves to simplify GDPR and AI Act obligations, raising compliance questions for companies
For the past decade, Europe has led in creating strong but flexible rules for data use and safe AI development. The EU’s new plans to simplify key data privacy and AI governance measures have received a mixed response.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.