The Financial Conduct Authority has postponed its Annual Public Meeting as it observes a period of official mourning following the death of the Queen.

The meeting had been due to take place this week, on Thursday 15 September.

The regulator has yet to set another date for the rescheduled meeting.

All public bodies, including the FCA, are currently observing an official 10-day period of mourning following the Queen’s death on 8 September.

During the period of mourning the regulator plans to only publish updates which it seems as business critical.

One of the topics due to be discussed at the Annual Public Meeting is the regulator’s approved final changes to new rules for appointed representatives, paving the way for the changes to come into force from December.

The final changes include reducing the pre-notification period from 60 to 30 days. 

ARs are not directly authorised by the FCA. They can only offer certain financial services or products under the responsibility of principal firms who are responsible to ensuring the compliance of the ARs.

The FCA has previously expressed concerns that while some principals do this effectively, others do not adequately oversee the activities of their ARs.

The regulator believes its new rules will help prevent customers being mis-sold by ARs and will prevent ARs undermining markets.

Parliament introduced the appointed representatives' regime through primary legislation in 1986. The new rules will take effect on 8 December.

Other topics expected to be discussed at the meeting include the FCA’s British Steel Pension Scheme compensation scheme and growing criticism of the regulator’s handing of the £46m collapse of mini-bond firm Blackmore Bond.