Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 16, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 19, 2026
UK shifts from EU regulatory alignment post-Brexit, says Lady Mayor Susan Langley, emphasizing global cooperation and addressing crime perceptions.
By Phoebe Seers
LONDON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - The prospect of Britain realigning its financial rules with the European Union has passed, and the country should avoid linking its regulations to any single jurisdiction, the ambassador for London’s financial services sector told Reuters.
Nearly a decade after Brexit, newly appointed Lady Mayor of London Susan Langley said that while maintaining dialogue with the EU remained important - particularly on defence - Britain should work with all nations that share its values and respect the rule of law.
Langley, born in London’s historically working-class East End, is the third woman to hold the centuries‑old, year‑long role, and the first to use the title “Lady Mayor.”
“We’ve still got huge alignment with Europe, cash flows between us are huge... Would we ever go back in terms of regulation? I think we’ve moved away from that,” she said.
Debate over closer regulatory alignment has resurfaced after Prime Minister Keir Starmer signalled a more cooperative approach with Brussels.
Many in the City, however, argue the UK should use its post‑Brexit freedoms to adopt rules tailored to domestic priorities.
CRIME SLURS 'JUST NOT TRUE'
Ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Langley said she would champion London’s financial hub and counter misconceptions about the city, including perceptions about crime. Figures including U.S. President Donald Trump have portrayed London as unsafe, but Langley said “that’s just not true.”
Langley, who took office in November, said London was a great place for women to build a career, citing her own path from the East End to chair of insurer Gallagher and now Lady Mayor. While diversity matters, she does not support regulatory diversity targets.
She acknowledged that harassment occurs, but said she believes its prevalence is overstated.
(Reporting by Phoebe Seers; Editing by Tommy Reggiori Wilkes, Aidan Lewis)
Brexit refers to the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, which was officially enacted on January 31, 2020, following a 2016 referendum.
The financial sector encompasses a range of services related to the management of money, including banking, investment, insurance, and asset management.
Financial regulations are laws and rules that govern financial institutions and markets to ensure transparency, fairness, and stability in the financial system.
The London Stock Exchange is one of the world's oldest and largest stock exchanges, facilitating the buying and selling of shares and securities.
A regulatory framework consists of the laws, regulations, and guidelines that govern the operations of financial institutions and ensure compliance with legal standards.
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