Compliance jobs in United Kingdom

​The financial services industry has seen many changes over the years with traditional firms being constantly challenged by the evolution of new trends and technologies.

The emergence of digital assets, fintechs and start ups has varied the scope of the once traditional compliance role, making it an increasingly interesting and competitive space to work in.

Every year, new regulations and rules are introduced, meaning compliance professionals must always be on top of the ever-changing sector to properly assess how any regulatory update can affect a business and its activities.

The person leading a compliance regulatory function will have to manage and support c-suite staff, internalise conflicts and exercise supreme judgement in balancing the need to allow its business to flourish in an increasingly complex regulatory environment, whilst avoiding the potentially devastating consequences of non-compliance.

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Comliance Teams

Compliance teams can vary depending on the firm, and level of experience needed but can be comprised with the following:

• Chief Operating Officer

• Head of Legal and Compliance

• ​General Counsel

• Head of Compliance

• Chief Compliance Officer

• Legal Counsel

• Compliance Manager

• Compliance Officer

• Compliance Analyst

• Advisory Compliance

• Compliance Policy

• Monitoring, Testing & Surveillance

• Policy/Regulatory Affairs

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Main Key Duties

The key duties within a compliance role might change from one type of firm to another, however its core responsibilities will usually include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Fostering an ethical culture at the firm

• Avoiding fines and other penalties from the regulating body (FCA in the UK, SEC in the US)

• Creating, monitoring and reporting on internal policies and processes: IT, Strategy, OH&S (Occupational, Health & Safety), KYC (Know Your Customer), PEP (Politically Exposed Person) and Sanctions

• Legal research and anticipating future changes

• Leveraging future changes in regulation

• Reviewing marketing material and disclaimers

• Training sessions to staff

• Answering “can we do X?” questions from the C-Suite and front office

• Conducting internal audits

• Assisting with disciplinary proceedings

• Reporting to the regulator

• Making sure that advice considers business objectives

• Prepare and file regulatory reports with the FCA

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Main Skills

As the regulatory function continues to grow the compliance needs in firms have become more robust, meaning compliance professionals may require a niche set of skills.

• To flourish within a compliance role these skills are required:

• Broader Business Acumen (Product & Technology knowledge)

• Interpersonal skills and communication

• Problem solving

• Attention to detail

• Niche candidates and subject matter experts

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Need Help Finding a Compliance Role?

Contact our specialists regulatory compliance recruitersor see Rutherford's regulatorycompliance jobs.

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United Kingdom

​The United Kingdom is the amalgam of Great Britain (which comprises England, Wales and Scotland) and the northern portion of Ireland. Its capital, London, is known as Europe's financial hub, and one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. The United Kingdom is also known for other major cities, like Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff.

The UK has made significant contributions to the world, most of them being cultural. Literature, theatre, musicals, film, television, music - many big names in these fields are from the United Kingdom.

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Financial Services Sector in the UK

The United Kingdom - and more specifically, its capital London - has always been considered a world financial hub. Its financial services sector is quite massive: in 2018, it contributed £132 billion to the overall UK economy. It is known to be London's largest sector, with 1.1. million jobs in 2018. The city is also known for its huge amount of foreign banks: in the beginning of the 20th century, London had more foreign banks that any other city in the world.

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Getting around

Traveling and getting around the UK is easy for anyone, thanks to its extensive and efficient public transport system, which allows you to go anywhere in the blink of an eye. Because the country is relatively small, journey times are always reasonable: for example, getting from London to Edinburgh is a 4-hour journey if you decide to take the train.

In major cities like London or Manchester, you will also find an extensive public transport system, which includes bus, tube, train, boats, and other alternatives. Getting from one point to another is extremely easy, especially if you have a traveling application like Citymapper or Google Maps on your phone to help you find the fastest - or cheapest! - journey.