The FCA has launched a consultation on a series of proposed reforms to improve the effectiveness of UK primary markets, alongside a discussion of how it might continue to develop the regime to ensure the UK remains a competitive and dynamic market.

Recently, both the UK Listing Review, chaired by Lord Jonathan Hill, and the Kalifa Review of UK FinTech have made specific recommendations for improvements to the regime. The FCA’s suggested reforms seek to address, and build, on the proposals in these important reviews to ensure that the UK remains an attractive place to grow and list successful companies.
The changes aim to reduce barriers to listing for companies and, as a consequence, increase the range of investment opportunities for consumers on UK public markets. The FCA is also proposing measures to ensure the listing regime continues to have high standards of market integrity and to simplify its rulebook. The proposals include allowing a targeted form of dual class share structures in the premium listing segment and reducing the required free float from 25% to 10% in certain circumstances.
To read the FCA's proposals in full click here.