| Link(s): | FCA boosts support for innovative firms as they scale and grow | FCA High-growth firms: good and poor practice | FCA |
Context
The FCA has announced that five fast-growing firms have joined the FCA’s Scale-up Unit, receiving tailored support to help them innovate, navigate regulation and grow sustainably. ClearScore, Modulr, Teya, Urban Jungle and Zilch, spanning payments, consumer finance, credit information and insurtech, are the first firms regulated solely by the FCA to take part.
Key points to note and next actions
- The Scale-up Unit gives firms tailored regulatory support as they develop new products, respond to policy changes and manage the challenges of rapid growth.
- ‘High-growth firms play a vital role in driving economic growth across the UK,’ said Jessica Rusu, chief data information and innovation officer, FCA. ‘We want the UK to remain one of the best places in the world to start, grow and scale a financial services business. That’s why we’re supporting ambitious firms as they scale, helping them navigate regulation and innovate with confidence.’
- Insights from a recent pilot with 15 high-growth firms, published on 10 August 2026, show that early investment in governance, risk management and controls helps firms manage the opportunities and challenges of growth, as well as scale sustainably.
- The FCA warns that if firms prioritise expansion ahead of developing governance, risk management and control frameworks, this can increase the risk of harm.
- Good practice and areas for improvement, which can be applied to any firm wishing to scale-up and grow, are set out in relation to governance and senior management oversight, risk management frameworks, resourcing, capability and scalability, systems and controls, management information (MI), financial resilience, and consumer and market outcomes.