On 2 July 2025, the FCA published Consultation Paper 25/18, "Tackling non-financial misconduct in financial services", comprising both a Policy Statement and final rules, together with further consultation on the revised guidance proposed for the FCA Handbook. It has taken the FCA considerable time to reach this phase in the development of its NFM policy, and there has been significant change from its original proposals in CP23/20. Even with further clarity and guidance from the FCA, this undoubtedly remains one of the most difficult areas for firms to grapple with. Join Jon Ford, Hywel Jenkins, Christine Young and Michael Tan as they discuss CP25/18 and consider whether it raises more questions than it answers.

In part one of our investigations double episode, we unpack the technical and legal dimensions of workplace investigations, with a spotlight on whistleblowing.

Together, Tony Wood and Lucy Boyd explore how clients can navigate the complexities of internal complaints, regulatory obligations and reputational risks. They spend time discussing the overall trend towards greater transparency, for example through positive duty obligations and shareholder activism, and how this is reshaping how organisations respond to complaints and how they conduct investigations.

Listeners will gain insights into:

• The importance of respecting whistleblower confidentiality and engaging with disclosures constructively.
• How to structure investigations to ensure procedural fairness and legal compliance.
• Common pitfalls in managing investigations and how to avoid them.
• The evolving landscape of workplace activism, including the influence of movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter, and how the growing emphasis on psychosocial safety has empowered employees to speak up about misconduct.

Whether you're an HR professional, in-house counsel, or business leader, this episode offers practical guidance and strategic insights to help you stay ahead in a rapidly changing compliance environment.

Stay tuned for part 2 (available next week) where we speak with Lisa Bradley, a veteran workplace investigator, about her insights on how to conduct an effective investigation, including some of her key tips and traps and how to make factual findings when confronted by conflicting witness evidence.

In this episode of Inside Safety, presenters Nerida Jessup and Olga Klimczak examine the evolving legal and regulatory landscape surrounding silica exposure and the associated risk of silicosis. With recent developments shifting the framework from workplace exposure standards to workplace exposure limits, the episode offers timely insights into how these changes affect compliance, risk management, and health outcomes – particularly in high-risk sectors like manufacturing and mining.

The discussion also draws on historical parallels, such as asbestos, to explore what the future may hold for silica regulation. With the establishment of a dedicated regulatory silica taskforce, the presenters highlight emerging guidance and enforcement trends that are shaping workplace safety. Whether you're advising on policy, managing operations, or working on the ground, this episode provides essential context for navigating silica-related risks in today’s industrial environments.