It could mean that the FCA could withdraw or not give approval status to senior bosses that fail to control rogue behaviour

The FCA has delivered its strongest warning yet to insurance bosses to crack down on bad behaviour.

The regulator has written to a number of chief executives at insurance firms warning that failure to crack down on bad behaviour could mean the regulator labelling them as ‘not fit and proper’ - meaning they would lose their jobs.

Last year there was a string of alarming revelations including Lloyd’s of London sexual harassment, London market bullying culture and daytime drinking, and Gallagher’s top bosses trading offensive texts that left one former staff member ‘shocked and hurt’

And now the FCA has decided to act, meaning it could withdraw or simply not give approval status to senior bosses who fail to control rogue behaviour.

“A senior manager’s failure to take reasonable steps to address non-financial misconduct could lead us to determine that they are not fit and proper,” Jonathan Davidson, the Financial Conduct Authority’s executive director of supervision, retail and authorisations said in a letter on Monday.

The FCA said in the letter to bosses that integrity and reputation were important approval factors. 

“Although work has been undertaken in the market to tackle the issue of non-financial misconduct, it continues to be prevalent and will be a key focus for our supervision of firms and of senior managers,” Davidson said.