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UK

Tony Watts

Partner

England & Wales

020 3319 3700

tony.watts@keystonelaw.co.uk

“We have worked with Tony since we launched in 2011, he has been our regulatory lawyer and has been central to the delivery of many of the industry innovations we have delivered, including the UK's first Innovative Finance ISA and peer to peer SIPP. ”

- Karl Harder, Founder & Joint Managing Director Abundance Investment Limited

Tony is a true financial services and banking specialist. He advises a range of clients such as banks, investment exchanges and multilateral trading facilities, securities and derivatives firms, corporate finance and venture capital firms, investment managers and advisers, listed companies, direct investment platforms, mortgage lenders and intermediaries, and consumer credit/consumer hire firms. He regularly works closely with other law firms, providing them with financial services and regulatory expertise where needed to support their clients.

Having spent time working both in-house and in private practice, he is able to advise wholesale and retail financial services businesses and has a deep understanding of the practical implications of legal issues for businesses and individuals, as well as the root causes of regulatory problems. Tony brings the same practical insight to Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority investigations and enforcement actions.

Tony has for a long time had a keen interest and involvement in innovative investment and fintech, including crowdfunding, and has contributed to shaping the development of regulation in these areas. He also has expert knowledge of ethical and not-for-profit financial business.

Expertise

Tony provides expert regulatory advice on compliance with FCA and PRA requirements, including SMCR, MiFID II, remuneration codes, conduct obligations and FOS claims for regulated firms and financial professionals.

Experience

  • Prepared clients (including investment managers and advisers, direct investment platforms, banks and derivatives firms) for compliance with the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) II and the Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products (PRIIPS) Directive.
  • Drafted investment management agreements and terms of business for a regulated business including investment managers, advisers and securities dealers.
  • Advised on the impact of the Remuneration Code in relation to the settlement of a dispute involving a senior employee.
  • Advising on issues relating to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime.
  • Financial Services Ombudsman (‘FOS’) claims.

With a broad knowledge of financial services law and regulation and practical experience in the industry, Tony approaches regulatory enforcement issues with an immediate understanding of the complex legal and factual issues that arise with regard to PRA and FCA investigations. He has represented individuals under regulatory investigation on numerous occasions up to RDC level in cases involving:

Experience

  • Market abuse
  • Breach of directors’ duties in relation to the Approved Persons Regime and Senior Managers Regime
  • Mis-selling of investment products including unregulated collective investment schemes
  • Alleged fraud
  • Fitness and propriety
  • Conflicts of interest and inducements

Tony has been successful in preventing regulatory action by advising clients as to their position and dealing effectively with the regulators – for example, in relation to market abuse and FSMA authorisation issues.

He has recently:

  • Advised listed companies on insider dealing and market abuse controls;
  • Advised clients and assisted them in setting up internal procedures for money laundering; and
  • Advised investment platform on NCA reporting of proceeds of crime.

 

Tony advises on financial services structures, platforms, and consumer-facing arrangements, with expertise in investment platforms, fintech, joint ventures, credit and mortgage regulation, social impact funds, and cross-border financial services strategy.

Experience

  • Advised on Brexit issues relating to an international bank.
  • Advised an internationally recognised Fintech platform on establishment in the UK.
  • Advised Abundance direct investment platform on regulatory and financial services issues including Innovative Finance ISA, SIPP’s white label agreements.
  • Advised banking groups on consumer credit, mortgage regulation and banking and ISA terms.
  • Drafted and negotiated joint venture agreement for wealth management services to be provided by FCA-authorised firm in the People’s Republic of China.
  • Drafted consumer hire agreements for hire of mobility equipment.
  • Provided specialist input and support on financial services law aspects of successful judicial review of the Financial Services. Compensation Scheme.
  • Advised on the marketing and structuring of a social impact fund.
  • Advised a national newspaper on financial regulatory issues relating to organisation and structure.

Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.

Recognition

Member of the Financial Services Lawyers Association (FSLA)

Member of the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL)

Higher Rights Advocate (Civil)

Tony qualified as a solicitor in 1992. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2007, he worked at the following firms:

  • Barclays Bank, Wealth Management Division
  • Kleinwort Benson Private Bank
  • Mitsubishi Trust and Banking Corporation
  • Bank of Scotland