OBTAINING AUTHORISATION

Authorisation to carry on investments business arises either by being an organisation which is automatically authorised under the Act or by applying to an appropriate body.

Currently, the Securities and Investments Board (SIB) is the agency designated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to oversee the regulation of investment business and the Self Regulatory Organisations (SROs). The SROs are organisations designed specifically to control particular areas of investment business. Members of the various regulatory bodies are required to follow the rules of their relevant organisation. All of the SROs have rules which provide equivalent investor protection to those of the SIB.