UK Fintech Bosses to Meet Treasury and FCA for Regulatory Reform Push

Executives from the United Kingdom’s leading fintech companies are scheduled to meet with officials from HM Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) during the week of April 20, 2026, to lobby for significant regulatory reforms. The meetings are part of a series of summits during UK fintech week aimed at addressing the industry’s concerns regarding deregulation and the attractiveness of London as a venue for public market debuts.

City Minister Lucy Rigby is scheduled to meet with several of the country’s fastest-growing firms on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. These executives are members of the Innovate Finance Unicorn Council, a collective of nearly 30 companies. The group includes prominent figures such as Monzo CEO Diana Layfield, Revolut UK chief Francesca Carlesi, and Oaknorth’s Rishi Khosla.

The Council members are widely considered top contenders for initial public offerings in the short to medium term. According to a fintech source attending the meetings, the industry is seeking for some very positive rhetoric to finally be turned into action.

Key agenda items for these discussions include the progress of the government’s deregulation drive and potential improvements to incentives for listing companies in London. These talks come amid pressure on the government and regulators to retain home-grown fintech talent and prevent companies from seeking listings in other financial hubs.

Zilch Summit and Global Scaling

On Monday, April 20, 2026, the payments platform Zilch will lead a separate summit with FCA chief Nikhil Rathi. The meeting will take place at the Emirates Stadium, referencing Zilch’s Way to Pay partnership with Arsenal Football Club.

The focus of the Zilch-led meeting will be on how the UK can better support fintech firms in scaling globally and strengthening the nation’s position as a leading global hub. Attendees include Clearbank chair Charles McManus, Allica boss Richard Davies, and Starling’s finance boss Declan Ferguson.

A spokesperson for the FCA stated: We want to showcase that the UK is the place to establish, innovate and grow and that we have the services to support fintechs at whatever stage of development they’re at.

Regulatory Context and Market Challenges

The push for reform follows a trend of high-profile fintech firms questioning the viability of London listings. Last year, the money transfer firm Wise announced it would move its primary listing from London to New York, citing deeper liquidity in the U.S. Market. Reports indicated that a billionaire backer and majority investor in Starling had expressed frustration with regulatory progress, impacting aspirations for a City listing.

In response to these challenges, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has introduced a Scale-Up regulator as part of the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy to encourage fintech IPOs. On March 18, 2025, the Chancellor hosted fintech CEOs at No. 11 Downing Street to discuss new draft legislation designed to streamline regulation and boost capital market attractiveness.

The government’s plan includes the following regulatory objectives:

• Implementing reforms to the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) rules inherited from the European Union.
• Empowering the FCA to scrap duplicative and burdensome rules that hinder UK firms.
• Reducing the administrative cost of regulation on businesses by a quarter, fulfilling a pledge by the Prime Minister.
• Reforming capital markets regulations as part of a commitment made during the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech in November 2024.

These measures are part of a broader radical action plan to cut red tape and create a more effective regulatory system to support economic growth. While the Treasury did not respond to requests for comment regarding the upcoming April summits, the proposed legislative changes aim to ensure the UK remains competitive for both investors and innovative financial services firms.