Appointed Representatives
We help businesses choose the right FCA authorisation route and support Appointed Representative arrangements.
If your business is looking to engage in FCA-regulated activity, there are two options to obtain the regulatory permissions you will need:
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​Become directly authorised by the FCA or;
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Become an Appointed Representative of a Principal Firm, sometimes referred to as a ‘Regulatory Hosting’ arrangement
We work with Appointed Representatives whose product offering, target market and approach to culture and governance fit with our risk appetite and experience.
Using the Appointed Representative route has the following advantages:
Speed to market, as the process of being approved as an Appointed Representative is, on the whole, significantly quicker than applying to be directly authorised. It is also possible to be an Appointed Representative while you’re preparing your application for direct authorisation or waiting for approval.
We hold regulatory capital on your behalf, so your business doesn’t need to set this aside.
We have approved policies and procedures which we will ask you to follow, and we will monitor your business in line with these, so that you can be confident it’s compliant with regulations.
There is no requirement for Appointed Representatives to pay the FCA’s levy, making the Appointed Representative route cost-effective.
Our team deals with the FCA on your behalf, so you don’t have the strain of preparing returns or responding to queries from the FCA.
What Happens If You Become an Appointed Representative?
1. Initial Conversation
We meet to understand who you are, your goals, and experience. We confirm the correct regulatory permissions and see if Infinity is the right fit. An indicative fee structure is provided for transparency.
2. Onboarding Begins
Once you’re ready, we start onboarding. The FCA requires checks on your company and team, including credit, criminal record, references, CVs, and qualifications. We also review your business plan, financials, and marketing materials. This usually takes a few days.
3. Compliance Training
After onboarding, we guide you on the procedures to follow and the records you must maintain. This ensures you are fully prepared to operate under FCA regulations
4. Ongoing Monitoring
We stay in regular contact, provide ongoing support, and work with you as part of our team. This ensures your business remains compliant, efficient, and supported at every stage.
