RWA’s Team Hosts SM&CR Workshop

Last week, RWA hosted a SM&CR-focused workshop at the Chateau Impney, Droitwich, which provided firms with insight into what they need to do to be prepared for the implementation date and beyond. Many of you will have met RWA’s team of SM&CR experts. This team has acquired the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to help firms with the practical implementation of the wide-ranging requirements brought about by the new regime.

Is your firm ready for SM&CR?

The implementation of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR) is now less than three months away.

There’s plenty for firms to consider, compounded by the fact that Brexit, and the uncertainty it brings, is also looming.

By SM&CR implementation day – i.e. the 9th of December 2019 – firms will need to have identified all Senior Managers and Certification Staff. They will also need to ensure that Senior Managers and Certification Staff have been trained in the Conduct Rules.

There are longer term implications too. By the end of year one, 9th December 2020, firms need to train all other staff in the Conduct Rules and how it applies to their role. Annual fitness and propriety assessments will be required for Certification Staff by this point too.

With the SM&CR implementation date drawing ever closer, we believe it is important for firms to understand the practical implications of the new regime, which is why last week’s workshop aimed to provide practical advice and guidance on various elements of the new regime, including certification, the conduct rules, training and competence, fitness and propriety and organisational culture.

It was great to see so many firms in attendance, being proactive in their preparations for SM&CR. Many thanks to all those who attended and made the day a success – we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

RWA Helpline

As a result of the demand from the workshop, RWA is launching an SM&CR ‘helpline. This will give firms direct access to RWA’s team of SM&CR experts. A modest £50 per month you will get you 30 minutes' helpline support each month which, over the 12-month period pre and post SM&CR, will allow between 4/5 hours of specialist help. Unused time will be credited to you at the end of the contract year. Should you want to buy more units, the same terms shall apply. You can use your time to consult the team on any SM&CR matter including:

  • HR/Employment Law (i.e. how to review and revise your employee contracts);
  • Training and competence (i.e. how to develop training plans);
  • Certification (i.e. who might be certified);
  • Conduct rules and compliance (i.e. understanding the conduct rules in the context of different roles).

The helpline is available to all clients and non-clients.

For more information, please call our helpdesk on 01604 709509 or e-mail helpdesk@rwagroup.co.uk. We look forward to supporting you.

About the author

Ash was Managing Director at RWA from 2018. He had over 15 years’ experience in the legal and compliance field and ten years in broker sales and leadership roles in national and global insurance firms. Sadly, Ash passed away suddenly in August 2021. 

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