Our Europe Market Advisory Group (EMAG) sets and advises on how to best take forward the relationship with the EU, its Member States, and other European countries, providing guidance on how to most effectively engage on European regulatory and policy matters to deliver the greatest value to the industry.
Chaired by Michael Cole-Fontayn from JP Morgan, the group brings together senior member representatives as well as engaging subject matter experts and regional specialists in their institutions and networks.
Priorities of the Europe MAG
The agreement of the Windsor Framework presents an opportunity for TheCityUK and its members to strengthen relationships with our European counterparts and establish a new era of cooperation and collaboration in the financial and related professional services industry.
In order to harness the opportunity that this new political landscape presents, TheCityUK’s Europe MAG has developed a Europe Programme to guide its engagement with UK and EU stakeholders. This programme seeks to:
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of members’ priority areas across the regulatory and policy landscape.
- Utilise the various mechanisms available to engage with and influence UK and EU stakeholders and authorities on these priorities.
- Secure normalisation of UK and EU trading relations and improvements for trade both ways in all areas of interest to TheCityUK’s members.
Recent activity
The Europe Market Advisory Group (EMAG) met on Thursday 10 July 2025 to discuss the implications of the evolving UK–EU political relationship for financial and related professional services, following the inaugural EU–UK Leaders’ Summit.
Discussions focused on the current state of market access, regulatory developments, and the strategic direction of UK–EU engagement. Members reflected on the need for realistic ambition in shaping future collaboration and emphasised the importance of ensuring financial services priorities are well understood across government.
The meeting also explored advocacy priorities and the role of industry in supporting broader policy goals, including competitiveness and growth.
The Europe Market Advisory Group (EMAG) met on Tuesday 18 February 2025.
HM Treasury opened the meeting with reflections on the recent UK–EU Financial Regulatory Forum, sharing insights into government priorities and inviting feedback on how industry input could be better aligned with policy development.
Professor Anand Menon from the UK in a Changing Europe then joined the meeting to offer a political perspective on the UK–EU relationship and the government’s proposed reset. His remarks prompted a thoughtful exchange on the opportunities and limitations facing the financial and related professional services sector in this context.
The meeting concluded with a discussion on TheCityUK’s positioning and strategic priorities, including how best to frame industry asks and engage across government and with European-based institutions.