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Tony Katz

Partner
International Sector Head - Financial Services
Tony is superlative, he is a great listener and thought leader, and he is pragmatic, calm and always approachable…His superb knowledge of the financial industry really sets him apart.
Client, Chambers 2026
About

Tony Katz is a leading financial services regulatory partner who advises on strategic regulatory matters, investigations and enforcement actions. He advises banks, asset managers, insurers, fintechs and other financial institutions on their most significant regulatory, governance and compliance challenges, regularly acting in matters involving the FCA, PRA, ECB and other regulators across the UK, Europe, the US and Asia. Drawing on experience as a former regulator, global head of compliance and private practice partner, Tony combines technical expertise with practical commercial insight. He is unique in the market being an expert in both advisory and contentious regulatory high-profile matters. He is recognised for helping clients navigate complex investigations, contentious regulatory proceedings, major corporate transactions and transformational regulatory change.

Tony has broad experience of advising on regulatory change and significant corporate transactions. He has recently led a number of significant reorganisations, acquisitions and mergers for international and UK banks, funds, private equity sponsors and global corporates. He advises leading FS institutions on key regulatory areas including prudential regulation, governance and accountability, Consumer Duty, operational resilience, outsourcing and third-party risk management, digital assets and fintech, wholesale markets regulation, investment management regulation and cross-border regulatory change.

In his investigations practice he has carried out some of the most complex and sensitive investigations. He represented a European bank in proceedings commenced by the European Central Bank (ECB) for the withdrawal of the bank's licence based upon the ECB's loss of confidence in the bank's business model, and governance, systems and controls AML failures. He has also conducted multiple independent reviews for a leading UK bank, and fraud, bribery and ethics investigations for global corporates.

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Tony served as a manager at the UK financial regulator and as global head of compliance for an international financial services group. Drawing on experience as a former regulator, global head of compliance and private practice partner, Tony combines technical expertise with practical commercial insight. He has acted as an FCA-appointed skilled person on conduct of business issues. Tony is regularly sought out by boards, senior executives and compliance leaders for advice on regulatory investigations, governance issues and significant business change projects. He is a frequent speaker on financial services regulatory developments and industry reform initiatives.

Professional QualificationsAttorney of the High Court of South AfricaSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

EXPERIENCE

  • Engaged by UK Finance (the leading trade association for the UK banking and financial services sector) to support them and their members in responding to the FCA Consumer Duty consultation, with far-reaching consequences for the industry
  • Acted as an FCA appointed Skilled Person to carry out an S166 review involving one of the most significant matters for a leading UK bank
  • Represented a UK listed company, Dixons Carphone Plc, in relation to a long-running enforcement investigation brought by the FCA, which culminated in an RDC hearing in December 2008 and publication of the FCA Final Notice on 13 March 2019
  • Represented an AIM-listed company in an FCA enforcement market abuse investigation
  • Acted in “bet the bank” civil proceedings in the UK High Court
  • Advised a leading asset manager on the regulatory aspects of its EUR5.3 billion acquisition
  • Represented a European Bank in proceedings commenced by the ECB for the withdrawal of the bank's licence based upon the ECB's loss of confidence in the bank's business model, and governance, systems and controls AML failures
  • Conducted multiple independent reviews for a leading UK bank
  • Advised a wealth manager in relation to an 18-month past business review of the suitability of advice given to its clients and assisted with the re-profiling of its clients
  • Provided regulatory advice in relation to a large IT outsourcing project involving c. 93 jurisdictions
  • Conducted an internal investigation triggered by a whistleblower complaint; the allegations included inappropriate behaviour and potential misconduct and mismanagement
  • Multiple transactions including LSEG's acquisition of Tora, Cinven's investment into Grant Thornton and Fiserv's acquisition of AIB Merchant Services

Awards

  • Ranked lawyer, Financial Services: Non Contentious Regulatory, UK-wide, Chambers UK (2025-2026)
  • Leading Partner, Financial Services: Contentious, London, The Legal 500 UK (2021-2026)
  • Leading Partner, Financial Services: Non-Contentious, London, The Legal 500 UK (2024-2026)
  • Ranked lawyer, Financial Services: Contentious Regulatory, UK-wide, Chambers UK (2021-2024)
  • Named a BTI Client Service All-Star (2024)

Pro Bono

Tony is a member of and legal advisor to the United for Wildlife Financial Taskforce.
Education
  • University of Cape Town, Bachelor of Business Science (Honours), LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws)

Publications

Memberships And Affiliations

  • LexisNexis Financial PSL practice editorial board