I want to sell courses (to UK customers only) on financial markets
trading. I never give specific investment recommendations, only
information which  helps students make their own decisions.

Is this a regulated activity? I'd like to find a list of what is and what isn't.

Dear sp2004-ga, 

The Financial Services Authority ?FSA? is now the UK body responsible
for financial regulation.

Their handbook contains a section on ?advising on investments?:
Section AUTH 2.7.15. I will not quote from it here as like any
comprehensive handbook or legal document, it is convoluted and not
straight forward.
http://www.fsa.gov.uk/vhb/html/AUTH/auth2.7.html
Your navigation for the handbook is at the bottom of the page.

The glossary appears here. Click on section ?R? and go to Regulated
Activities. Page 163. The full list of regulated activities appear
here.
http://www.fsa.gov.uk/handbook/hbk_glossary.pdf
 
I?ve had a look at the FSA web site
http://www.fsa.gov.uk/
and it would seem the Independent Financial Advisers ?IFA? contact is
the Firms Contact Centre. I?m sure they would welcome your call should
you wish to discuss your particular situation.
 
"Telephone:  0845 606 9966 (charged at local rate) 
Overseas: +44 207 066 1000 
Fax: 0207 066 0991 
Email: fcc@fsa.gov.uk 
Post: Firms Contact Centre.

Financial Services Authority. 
25 The North Colonnade
Canary Wharf
London E14 5HS"
 
I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder

Search Strategy
Knew of the site.

That's excellent. Thankyou so much.
I meant FSA, of course:-)

sp

Hi, sp2004

I believe that you will be OK provided you stress the educational
aspect and issue a statement saying that you do not provide investment
advice.

So, make these points strongly when you speak to the FSA.

Better still put it in writing!

Good luck!