Rethinking Regulation: half-day conference

The UK’s regulatory system is undergoing fundamental transformation. Managing rapid technological change, getting the economy growing, and strengthening consumer protection are all key missions of this Government. But the pace of change is exposing the limits of a regulatory approach that was designed for a different age –often slow, process heavy, and overly risk-averse. Across sectors – from AI and digital to infrastructure and life sciences – there is increasing concern that outdated regulation is now constraining innovation, investment, and delivery, rather than enabling them.

At the same time, expectations of the State are rising. Policymakers are being asked to move faster, take better-judged risks, and support growth while maintaining public trust and high standards. This moment creates both pressure and opportunity: to rethink how regulatory systems make decisions, how accountability is exercised, and how judgement and proportionality can be restored at the heart of regulatory practice.

This half-day conference will bring together leading policymakers, industry experts and key stakeholders to discuss next steps for regulatory reform and how to work together to make the UK economy the best place to do business.

This is a pivotal moment in the Government’s drive on better regulation, and an important opportunity to shape the conversation. Re:State are leading the debate, and this will be the highlight of our events and engagement on the role of regulation in the economy.

If you would like to attend, please sign up here. Please note places are limited and will be confirmed by email.

Keynote address:

• Andrew Griffith MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade

Panel one – Regulating for growth: realising a new approach 

This panel will explore what it means to regulate for growth in practice, and how the UK can make the institutional and political changes required.

• John Fingleton, Chair, Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce
• Stephen Gibson, Chair, Regulatory Policy Committee
• Rachel Fletcher, Global Director of Policy and Regulation, Octopus
• Iain Wood, Director of Public Policy, Amazon

 Panel two – Smarter regulation: encouraging innovation and managing risks 

This panel will examine how the UK can build regulatory frameworks that are adaptive, proportionate, and technologically literate – capable of supporting innovation while maintaining public trust in an era of rapid change.

• William Malcolm, Executive Director of Regulatory Risk and Innovation, Information Commissioner’s Office
• Ian Phoenix, Director of Intelligence, Digital and Innovation, Financial Conduct Authority
• Lord David Willetts, Chair, Regulatory Innovation Office.