M2G 2.8 Other firms- Collective portfolio management investment firms and authorised professional firms
1A collective portfolio management investment firm (‘CPMI’) takes the form3 of a ‘UCITS investment firm’ or an3 ‘AIFM investment firm’, as defined in the FCA Handbook Glossary. A UCITS investment firm is subject to the common platform requirements as set out in Column A+ in SYSC 1 Annex 1 Table A. An AIFM investment firm is subject to the requirements listed in Column A in SYSC 1 Annex 1 Table A in relation to their MiFID business. More generally, both a UCITS investment firm and an AIFM investment firm fall within the Handbook definition of MiFID investment firm broadly when doing MiFID business - this is relevant as regards the application of SYSC 10A (‘Recording telephone conversations and electronic communications’). By contrast, neither SYSC 18 (‘Whistleblowing’) nor SYSC 19.1 (MiFID remuneration incentives) apply to their MiFID business, as a result of the derogations in the application provisions in these chapters.
221Authorised professional firms falling within the exemption in paragraph 1(d) of Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the RAO3 will be subject to common platform requirements as set out in Column B in SYSC 1 Annex 1 Table A. If they satisfy the criteria of a MiFID optional exemption firm (in accordance with Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the MiFI regulations)3 they will be subject to the provisions in the SYSC 1 Annex 1 Part 3 Table B column A. If they fall within both the exemptions in paragraph 1(d) of Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the RAO and Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the MiFI regulations,3 they are entitled to comply only with the common platform requirements relating to article 2(1)(c) exempt firms in Column B in SYSC 1 Annex 1 Table A. Where they would be3 required to be authorised by MiFID II, they will be subject to common platform requirements in Column A in SYSC 1 Annex 1 Table A and other SYSC requirements as a UK MiFID investment firm, except to the extent indicated otherwise (including SYSC 1 Annex 1 2.5R).
For an authorised professional firm when carrying on non-mainstream regulated activities, the common platform requirements on financial crime, conflicts of interest and Chinese walls do not apply.
See the definition of authorised professional firms at https://www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/glossary/?starts-with=A. In essence, the definition captures persons regulated by a designated professional body under Part XX FSMA, with a Part 4A permission.