News & Insights

FCA’s SDR deep-dive guide: 3. Consumer-Facing Disclosures

by Victoria Smith|4 April 2023|Our Thinking

In this third of our six deep-dive guides into the FCA’s sustainability disclosure requirements, we’re looking at consumer-facing disclosures. The FCA is proposing that firms provide consumer-facing disclosures that provide consumers with a summary of the products’ key sustainability-related features. Our deep-dive outlines the proposals and sets out a handy guide to the categories of […]

Meet the Team: Q&A with Argyro Leoutsea

by Victoria Smith|3 April 2023|Our News

As part of our ‘Meet the Team’ series, we are delighted to feature Argyro Leoutsea, from our Legal team who celebrates her first anniversary with Cleveland & Co this week! To celebrate Argyro’s first year, we sat down to ask her a few questions about her experiences at Cleveland & Co and what she enjoys […]

Australia Privacy Act Review Report

by Victoria Smith|30 March 2023|Our Thinking

summary The Australian Government issued the Privacy Act Review Report 2022 (the “Report”) in February 2023 with a list of 116 proposals to reform the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the “Privacy Act”). These proposals aim to enhance personal data protection offerings to individuals with a view to a more digitalised world. The proposals, if adopted, […]

Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation: What’s next?

by Victoria Smith|30 March 2023|Industry News

Under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, financial market participants and financial advisers are required to disclose information on the integration of sustainability risks into investment decision-making, and the impact of sustainability factors on their returns. The aim of the regulation is to increase transparency in the market of sustainable products and prevent greenwashing. Find out […]

FCA’s SDR deep-dive guide: 2. Naming and Marketing Rules

by Victoria Smith|22 March 2023|Our Thinking

In this second of our six deep-dive guides into the FCA’s sustainability disclosure requirements, we’re looking at the naming and marketing restrictions that the FCA propose to introduce to investment products marketed to retail investors that do not qualify for a sustainable investment label… For more information on the implementation of UK SDR, Cleveland & […]

ASIC Enforcement Priorities: Greenwashing

by Victoria Smith|15 March 2023|Our Thinking

Greenwashing is one of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”) key priorities outlined in its recently released enforcement priorities, particularly as there has been an increase in investor demand for sustainability-related financial products in the Australian market. ASIC recognises ‘greenwashing’ as the practice of misrepresenting a financial product or investment strategy as environmentally friendly, […]

FCA’s SDR deep-dive guide: 1. Investment Labels

by Victoria Smith|15 March 2023|Our Thinking

In this first of our six deep-dive guides into the FCA’s sustainability disclosure requirements, we’re looking at investment labels. Sustainable investment labels are designations given to investment products that meet certain environmental, social and governance criteria. The FCA has announced three sustainable fund labels as part of the broader anti-greenwashing rule… For more information on […]

SEC: Change of fund names rule

by Victoria Smith|14 March 2023|Our Thinking

background With a focus on environmental, social and governance (‘‘ESG’’) concerns and the further protection of investors in the modern fund industry, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) considered a proposal to update the Names Rule of funds, adopted in 2001, and the labelling for investment products under Investment Company Act of 1940 […]

FCA’s Appointed Representatives Regime: are you compliant?

by Victoria Smith|9 March 2023|Our Thinking

The Financial Conduct Authority’s (“FCA”) changes for Appointed Representatives (“AR”) have been implemented to ensure that the UK’s financial sector remains compliant and transparent. The new rules (“New Rules”) came into effect on 8 December 2022 and allows unauthorised firms to engage in regulated activities without having to be authorised by the FCA and affected […]

#EmbraceEquity: International Women’s Day 2023

by Victoria Smith|8 March 2023|Events

Happy International Women’s Day! Today, we celebrate the incredible achievements and contributions of women all around the world who have shaped our society and inspired us with their resilience, compassion and strength. At Cleveland & Co, we continue to promote a workplace that is diverse and inclusive and where women and girls are empowered to […]