Compliance Consultants - Thistle Initiatives

As a team of 70 + financial industry specialists, compliance consultants, ex regulators, and lawyers - we speak compliance so you don’t have to

We believe in doing, not delegating. Covering risk is one thing, but a commercial mindset is everything.

We will keep your organisation moving forward with transparent advice and hands-on support. To guide you through the journey of compliance, from beginning to end and beyond.

For press or public relations please contact marketing@thistleinitiatives.co.uk

History and milestones

2012
Thistle Initiatives established

2013
Resolution Compliance established

2014
Purchase of UKGI

2014
Knowledge Centre launched

2020
Sale of UKGI

2020
Compliance Star established

2021
Absolute Cover established

2022
ATEB Suitability acquisition

2022
ATEB Compliance acquisition

“After spending several years in the financial services recruitment industry, I joined Thistle Initiatives in 2015 to collaborate closely with James Dingwall on the company's development. Before taking on the role of Group Managing Director in 2021, I was the group's Director of Business Development for five years.

Being part of the leadership team for many years, I'm grateful to the individuals who have helped the Group grow so successfully. As I begin my new chapter as CEO, I reflect on 2015 and the motivation behind joining Thistle. No matter how big or small, Thistle Initiatives has a real impact on the lives of our clients and consumers of financial services. We are dedicated to helping our clients navigate compliance by offering practical, commercially focused guidance.

People have always been my passion. Our people are what make the Thistle Group so special, both to work with and for our clients. We are constantly learning and growing, never afraid to step into new markets, which drives fantastic results.

As we move forward and continue to offer a high calibre of services to financial services firms, I look forward to Thistle's future development and success. The firm belief that Thistle Initiatives can be much more than a compliance consultancy is what motivates our employees. We think creatively, commercially with a results driven mindset to add value to every project we undertake.

The outstanding team we have in place at Thistle Initiatives is the key to our success in supporting clients through numerous M&A transactions, supervision, enforcement, tribunals and FCA authorisations. We have a mindset that mixes problem-solving with a business-oriented approach to provide the finest level of service, and I'm equally proud of that.

Thistle Initiatives has grown to become one of the top financial services compliance consultancies in the UK with the addition of ATEB Compliance, and ATEB Suitability to the portfolio. Together, we provide a wide spectrum of financial services business sectors with reliable compliance services, solutions, and support.”

Sophie Long, CEO

Association of Professional Compliance Consultants (APCC)

We are one of the largest members of the Association of Professional Compliance Consultants (APCC).

The APCC is the body that represents compliance consultancies advising FCA regulated firms in the UK, promoting high professional standards and setting best practice guidance for members to follow.

We often work with the APCC to pilot or test new initiatives and provide feedback on a range of topics. This relationship increases our access to the FCA, greatly benefiting our clients.

The Payments Association

We are Leader Members of The Payments Association. The Payments Association (previously the Emerging Payments Association, or EPA) is a community for all companies in payments, whatever their size, capability, location or regulatory status. Its purpose is to empower the most influential community in payments, where the connections, collaboration and learning shape an industry that works for all. It works closely with industry stakeholders such as the Bank of England, the FCA, HM Treasury, the PSR, Pay.UK, UK Finance and Innovate Finance.

Through its comprehensive programme of activities and with guidance from an independent Advisory Board of leading payments CEOs, The Payments Association facilitates the connections and builds the bridges that join the ecosystem together and make it stronger. These activities include a programme of monthly digital and face-to-face events including an annual conference, PAY360, The PAY360 Awards dinner, CEO roundtables and training activities.

The Payments Association also runs seven stakeholder working project groups covering financial inclusion, regulation, economic crime, cross-border payments, open banking, digital currencies and ESG. The volunteers in these groups represent the collective views of the industry and work together to ensure the big problems facing the industry are addressed effectively. The association also conducts original research which is made available to members and the authorities. These include monthly whitepapers, insightful interviews and tips from the industry’s most successful CEOs.

Women In Banking & Finance (WIBF)

We are members of Women in Banking and Finance (WIBF), which is a leading organisation dedicated to promoting gender diversity and inclusion within the financial industry.

Run by volunteers, Women in Banking and Finance brings over 40 years of activity to support women and the UK financial services industry as a whole. WIBF was founded in 1980 as a response to academic research into the employment of women in the banking sector by Margery Povall at the London School of Economics (LSE).

Partners we work alongside

We partner with trusted organisations that can support your growing business

Accountancy firms

Be sure that your financial transactions - from tax to payroll - are accurate, legal and efficient

EMI/PSP Principals

Looking for a fast track route to issuing e-money for your customers? Talk to one of our trusted principal firms to consider if the agent route is right for you

Incubators & accelerators

For startups looking for support and funding to get your idea off the ground and into the market

IT Consultancies

Design and install the most appropriate IT systems that fit your business needs and commercial goals

RegTech Providers

Accelerate your regulatory processes, including customer onboarding compliance, monitoring and reporting

Law Firms

Stay on the right side of the law, as well as the regulator, with support from our trusted law firm partners

Safeguarding Providers

Protect your customers funds and strengthen your firm’s prudential risk management in accordance with UK regulation

Trade/Settlement Platforms

Ensure compliance and market obligations for trade settlement, clearing and reporting are met efficiently and accurately

Recruitment Consultants

Hire right first time, with support from recruiters who understand the financial services industry

As well as referring clients to our partners, we also accept client referrals from complementary businesses. Do you have a client who needs our help? We are happy to chat.

Charity work

We regularly raise money for causes that are close to our heart. We love working alongside our clients and colleagues, to bring awareness and much-needed financial support to charities all over the UK.