As part of the Thistle Group, Thistle Initiatives has established itself as an expert in the field of compliance consultancy, providing unrivalled guidance and support to a host of firms in the financial services industry, especially those on the journey to becoming regulated. With clients spanning a wide range of businesses, including globally recognised market leaders, the team’s expertise can be divided into several key areas, covering investments, payment services, credit, mortgages, digital assets, and financial crime prevention. Our conversation with Sophie Long, CEO of Thistle Group, sheds light on the company's operations and expertise. FinTech Compliance Consultancy of the Year - UK Thistle Initiatives is one of several separate entities that form the Thistle Group. This award-winning organisation comprises a diverse array of operations, each focusing on a distinct yet critical area of compliance. It supports clients in successfully navigating their regulatory journeys. Since launching almost twelve years ago, the Thistle Initiatives has assisted firms in various areas, including regulation implementation, day-to-day guidance with general compliance, on-site regulatory compliance audits, financial crime prevention, and directly securing authorisations with the FCA. Thistle Initiatives tailors its services to each client, ensuring relevant and precise advice. Thistle Initiatives go beyond information—it assists firms with implementation, driving success. The approach often combines faceto-face meetings, audits, and continuous ad hoc support. Serving renowned clients, Thistle Initiatives consistently delivers excellence. It stays at the industry forefront by expanding the services and support to fortify its position. For Sophie, “Our team is essential in delivering our services. We prioritise having consultants who are not only helpful, perceptive, and talented, but also dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for the businesses we serve and, crucially, for their clients.” To this end, Thistle Initiatives’ consultants embody a shared ethos, one that is centred around the discovery and execution of solutions that are both compliant and commercially astute. Presently, the team’s workforce exceeds more than 80 highly skilled individuals based in London, with this staff comprising of compliance officers, former regulators, lawyers, and other financial services experts. 2023 has seen the company successfully navigate a variety of industry challenges, with many of these shaped by the wider landscape and business environment. One such challenge was staying ahead of the ever-evolving regulatory frameworks, both on a national and international level, with navigating the increasingly complex data protection and privacy regulations close behind. With the exponential rise of remote work and the increasing complexity and utilisation of advanced technologies, it has been necessary for the firm to adapt its policies this year, bringing them in line with these aims and addressing the unique risks such advancements can bring in order to remain prepared for the future. Moreover, 2023 was defined by the Thistle Group acquiring consultancy firm Exevion in September 2023, with this firm specialising in project management specific to acquisitions, operations, and transformation strategy. Commenting on this new-found and prosperous partnership, Sophie commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Exevion to the group, this development aligns with the company’s vision for expanding its market presence and diversifying its services, underpinning the commitment to exceeding client expectations and delivering excellence across the board.” This new acquisition will serve to add to and further diversify Thistle Group’s portfolio, which already consists of more than 1000 satisfied clients. Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, the firm is set to expand significantly, driven by a keen vision and outstanding service. Sophie details, “We are investing in cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions to enhance our service delivery, ensuring our clients receive the most advanced and efficient compliance support.” She continues, “Our plans for 2024 include an augmentation of our expert team, recruiting top talent across various compliance domains to fortify our position as industry leaders.” As a result of these approaches, Thistle Initiatives continues to strive for excellence, consistently exceeding the expectations of its clients through a comprehensive and forward-thinking service. Contact Details Contact: Sophie Long Company: Thistle Initiatives Web Address: www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk
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