The Compliance Department was created to provide advisory firms with exactly what you need from your compliance function, when you need it. When we first set up we found a compliance landscape created from the point of view of compliance providers, rather than from the point of view of advisory firms. That meant that many firms felt – and still feel – as though they had to change their ways to suit their compliance, rather than the other way around.
We have four suggested ways of working; Team, Review, Essentials and Files. How we deploy those approaches is unique to every client we work with.
- With Team and Review you won’t find templates, manuals or many of the usual off-the-shelf documents in your inbox from us. We believe in a personal, bespoke approach.
- Essentials is different. It is a light touch do-it-yourself service. It has dual USPs, one is a pragmatic, get-it-done style, and the other is the provision of just essential material, without increasing risk.
- And Files, like the name suggests, is a file review service for those that have all other services locked down.
- Like many advisory firms we are a family business. We know what it means to grow such a company and we know how important it is to protect it. We’re here to do that for your firm and, by extension, your family.
Mark is a South African, immigrating to the UK in 1988 married to Sue, he has 3 adult children. Mark has four “out of work” interests – his family, sport, walking, and photography.
Reading accountancy and economics at university, Mark served articles with KPMG. He then took up a minority stake in a company that went bust; this led to him joining Old Mutual as an adviser. He was in a group of 10 inaugural qualifiers of South Africa’s diploma in financial planning (equivalent of the UK AFPC). In 1988 Mark transferred to Providence Capitol as Manchester’s branch manager. There followed a succession of jobs, before seeing the light in 1995, when he set off on his own.
Mark owns WLC holdings, which has two subsidiaries, one delivering TCDs services, the other offering low-cost services to smaller retail clients. A Para planning service has recently been launched, which is being run out of holdings as it grows. Mark is QCA level 4 qualified with T&C and advanced pension qualifications.
Sarah has worked within TCD since 2010, coming on board as practice manager in 2019. She has since been promoted to Group Chief Operations Officer in May 2023.
A strong admin management background from car finance, healthcare and financial service – compliance sectors. Sarah is an integral key in the client’s day to day contact with the firm, and she enjoys liaising with the clients and helping deliver a great service.
Sarah works alongside Mark and supports him and the consultants in various aspects of the business.
Away from work Sarah enjoys spending time with her 3 young daughters and husband, card making, reading and cooking/baking.
Kate, joined TCD in 2010 and has been working in the marketing team to help build a strong database of fantastic clients. Formally an Olympic athlete, her competitive edge helps keep the company moving forward and up to date with client needs and wants.
Her financial background, being in the process of studying for her Paraplanner qualification allows her to understand the needs of the client as well as helping to provide the client with their bespoke packages.
Away from work, Kate enjoys all things sport including her passions for her former life in athletics, as well as keeping busy with 2 young children and her husband.
Nick Coles
Key Consultant
Nick has worked in the financial services industry since 1987, before that, being a submariner in the Royal Navy.
Starting in the advisory arena and moving to compliance-oriented work in the late nineties, “I have used the experience resulting from my engineering training and subsequent advisory roles to apply logical and evidential argument to my work in the compliance field. I have a fundamental sympathy for people that try to better other people’s lives by giving them the financial advice that they need throughout their lives and work to protect advisers from those that seek to profit from someone simply following their vocation.”
“I have been involved in a number of substantial projects, in many roles, covering the full range of financial services and its associated compliance rules and guidance and still enjoy what I do immensely.”
Rob Abbott Key Consultant
A self‐motivated and experienced individual in a wide range of regulated knowledge (investment; pension; mortgage; protection; general insurance; claims management and consumer credit) and compliance with a pragmatic and practicable ethos to compliance and risk planning. a comprehensive and thorough understanding of the regulated advice market place a strong technical background.
Able to maintain a precise understanding of relevant legislation, regulations with wide‐scope knowledge of the evolving regulatory landscape. a track record of proven capability, effectiveness and successful interfacing at strategic and senior management level in both small and large companies.
Accountable and effective senior manager.