On September 26, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published consultation paper CP14/21, incorporating its policy statement CP14/02 (sponsor competence) and other changes into the Listing Rules and Prospectus Rules. CP14/21 also includes details of a consultation on joint sponsors and invited views on sponsor conflicts.

The main change is that the FCA has removed the competency framework against which sponsors should assess themselves. LR 8.6.12R(9) now requires sponsors to have effective systems and controls for compliance with each of the five competencies found in LR 8.6.7R(2)(b).

The amendments to LR 8, LR 11 and Appendix 1.1 of LR, set out in the Listing Rules (Sponsors) (Amendment No 5) Instrument 2014 (FCA 2014/54) come into force on February 1, 2015. Amendments to LR 5 and LR13, together with the changes to the Prospectus Rules, each set out in that same instrument, come into force on October 1.  Consultation Paper.