Search results for

Recent years – 2019 in particular – have seen a sea change in the debate on tackling global warming. All of a sudden it seems the environment is on the agenda in places it hadn't been previously – including the financial sector. It now seems incredibly plausible that climate change will be a dictator of policy over the coming decade.

The existence of blockchain, or distributed ledger technology (DLT), has prompted fierce debate over its usage, status and capabilities, to the point that some experts feel its namesake undermines the benefits it offers.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – the UK's all-encompassing financial services regulator – is at any point the subject of either praise or derision, depending on the commentator. But there is rarely any middle ground. It has earnt itself the reputation as one of the European Economic Area's most fine-happy enforcers, with a particular penchant for punishing firms over failures to comply with the new wave of reporting requirements.

It would be remiss of us to put a list like this together and not include the thorn in the side of Wall Street. Elizabeth Warren has dedicated much of her career to keeping the US financial sector at bay, and as senior Senator for Massachusetts for the last six years, has been able to make a marked influence from the Senate floor.

Since 2016, Britain – and by extension, the global news agenda – has grappled with the backlash of Brexit. The UK's planned exit from the EU has created unprecedented levels of uncertainty about what the future holds for financial services in the UK, EU, and much further beyond.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (Esma) is responsible for pushing some of the most far-reaching regulatory reforms in the history of finance. Their reforms have two basic aims: investor protection and risk management. These deceptively simple objectives have created complicated regulatory frameworks – and it truly is a team effort.

The Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC) has the unenviable task of making sure that the transition from US dollar Libor to the more robust Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) – its recommended alternative – goes smoothly, with plenty of time left before Libor's expiration at the end of 2021.

In addition to being the chief executive of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong, Alder is the chairman of the board of the International Organisation of Securities Commission and of the Financial Stability Board's plenary and steering committee.

Rachel Kent is Hogan Lovells' head of financial services regulation, where she advises various types of institutions, both public and private.

More than just a trade association, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association's (Isda) reach is almost unparalleled in financial markets, and makes our list this year for its instrumental work on a number of topics highly pertinent to both IFLR and Practice Insight readers. As its full name would suggest, Isda has great sway on the over-the-counter derivatives (OTC) market, but it also works closely with trade organisations in other sectors to ensure that markets harmonise and operate as smoothly as possible.