Ian Mason
Partner
Cayman Islands
Ian is part of our Regulatory & Risk Advisory Group, and a highly experienced senior financial services regulatory, financial crime and fintech lawyer.
He advises on both contentious regulatory and compliance matters, and has particular expertise in financial crime, anti-money laundering and market conduct issues, as well as fintech and crypto-assets. He also advises clients on regulatory issues, including:
Ian advises on the full lifecycle of regulatory issues facing firms and individuals, including authorisation applications, supervision issues, regulatory investigations and enforcement. His clients are investment managers and funds, brokers, banks, insurers, corporates, fintechs, senior management, CEOs and compliance/money-laundering reporting officers.
- anti-money laundering
- fintech, virtual assets and crypto-assets
- regulatory perimeter issues
- data protection
- economic substance
- automatic exchange of information (FATCA/CRS)
- beneficial ownership
- regulatory audits and reviews, inspections, investigations and enforcement
Ian advises on the full lifecycle of regulatory issues facing firms and individuals, including authorisation applications, supervision issues, regulatory investigations and enforcement. His clients are investment managers and funds, brokers, banks, insurers, corporates, fintechs, senior management, CEOs and compliance/money-laundering reporting officers.
Experience and recent work
Ian has over 25 years’ experience in financial services regulation and compliance. Before joining Walkers in 2023, he headed up financial services regulatory teams at various London firms. He is a former Head of Department in the Enforcement Division at the UK regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (previously the Financial Services Authority). Before that he was a Manager at the London Stock Exchange.
Qualifications
Admitted in:
- Cayman Islands
- England and Wales
Education:
- MA (First Class Honours, Law) University of Cambridge
- Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors, UK
Practical Law Financial Services Consultation Board
Ian has also previously served on a number of industry working groups and committees, including the AIMA Market Conduct Working Group, the Society of Pension Practitioners Financial Services Regulation Committee
Ian has also written a Market Conduct column for Practical Law Financial Services.
Ian is author of a number of books and articles on financial services, including hedge fund regulation and money laundering. Previous media appearances and as a commentator include the Financial Times, BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, BBC Breakfast News, Practical Law, Thomson Reuters Accelus.
Ian is one of the contributors and managing editor of the UK Chapter of the Fintech 2021 book (Global Legal Insights).
Ian is a frequent speaker at conferences, seminars and webinars on financial services topics, including FCA Enforcement, market abuse, financial crime and FinTech.
Ian has also previously served on a number of industry working groups and committees, including the AIMA Market Conduct Working Group, the Society of Pension Practitioners Financial Services Regulation Committee
Ian has also written a Market Conduct column for Practical Law Financial Services.
Ian is author of a number of books and articles on financial services, including hedge fund regulation and money laundering. Previous media appearances and as a commentator include the Financial Times, BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, BBC Breakfast News, Practical Law, Thomson Reuters Accelus.
Ian is one of the contributors and managing editor of the UK Chapter of the Fintech 2021 book (Global Legal Insights).
Ian is a frequent speaker at conferences, seminars and webinars on financial services topics, including FCA Enforcement, market abuse, financial crime and FinTech.
2023 Legal 500 - Named Individual - UK Financial Services, Non-Contentious Regulatory: "Ian Mason, a specialist in FCA/PRA authorisation and the regulatory aspects of fintech, cryptocurrency and blockchain issues."
2023 Legal 500 - Named Individual - UK FinTech, Named Individual: "Ian Mason... advising on the regulatory aspects of fintech, including ICOs, cryptocurrencies and blockchain developments."
2022 Legal 500 client testimonials:
'Ian Mason is a standout star of the London financial services scene, and a tremendous asset..."
'Ian Mason is technically excellent with an eye for detail. Having worked at the regulator, he has a great sense of strategy and tactics. A pleasure to work with'
'Ian Mason is a former senior ex-regulator and is astute and pragmatic'
2023 Legal 500 - Named Individual - UK FinTech, Named Individual: "Ian Mason... advising on the regulatory aspects of fintech, including ICOs, cryptocurrencies and blockchain developments."
2022 Legal 500 client testimonials:
'Ian Mason is a standout star of the London financial services scene, and a tremendous asset..."
'Ian Mason is technically excellent with an eye for detail. Having worked at the regulator, he has a great sense of strategy and tactics. A pleasure to work with'
'Ian Mason is a former senior ex-regulator and is astute and pragmatic'
Team Members
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