An Appointed Representative (AR) in the context of UK financial regulation is a firm or person who runs regulated activities and acts as an agent for a firm directly authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The directly authorised firm, known as the Principal, takes regulatory responsibility for the AR, ensuring they meet and maintain FCA standards. This means the Principal is responsible for the AR's regulatory compliance and conduct while the AR is providing regulated services.
An AR must have a written contract with their Principal firm, and they cannot operate or offer regulated services without one. This arrangement allows smaller firms or individuals to conduct business without needing to be directly authorised and regulated by the FCA.
