The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set out a simplified listings regime with a single category and streamlined eligibility for companies wanting to list their shares in the UK, set to come into force on 29 July 2024. 

The overhaul of listing rules better aligns the UK’s regime with international market standards.

The new rules aim to encourage prospective issuers to choose a UK listing by streamlining the rules and replacing the ‘premium’ and ‘standard’ listing segments with a new commercial companies’ category for equity shares.

For this category, the FCA has maintained the approach of not requiring votes on significant and related party transactions and being more permissive in relation to companies listing with dual class share structures (DCSS) or weighted voting rights.