Meet Nick Evans, Executive Consultant Compliance, Barclay Simpson, as he shares his journey through the intricate world of compliance recruitment, from the rapid integration of AI, to the satisfaction of helping a candidate find their dream job, against the odds. Nick also shares his penchant for crispy aromatic duck and his admiration for Spiderman!
Nick - What inspired you to pursue a career in regulatory compliance recruitment?
I’ve always loved working in London—the energy of the financial district pulls you in. There’s something fun about being in a city where all the money-making action happens, and compliance is there in the background, making sure everyone plays by the rules. Plus, in recruitment, the more effort you put in, the more you get rewarded, which I really enjoy. It’s like having a front-row seat to the business world, with a bit of rule-enforcing on the side!
Can you share a memorable moment or accomplishment in your career that you’re particularly proud of?
One of my proudest moments was placing a candidate who really needed a break. They were living abroad, stuck in a job that didn’t match their skills at all, and the hiring manager initially rejected them without a second glance. But I saw their potential, gave the manager a call, and explained the real story. That extra nudge was all it took to get them the interview—and eventually, the job!
What’s a compliance trend that most excites you right now?
The implementation of AI is happening very fast. Trying to keep up with the new software and its applications across different facets of the compliance world is enough to make your head spin. Seeing how it integrates with the skills required for a compliance role is truly exciting.
What’s your top tip for handling a crisis?
Being a first time father and dealing with a crisis at 3 a.m. of a crying baby, I find taking 10 deep breaths helps. When it comes to work, I like to deal with the crisis head on. In my line of work communication is the best way to avoid a crisis. Usually a crisis occurs because of some kind of miscommunication. What I have learned through my 16 years of recruitment is honesty and transparency are always the best policy. Find the hardest problem, and deal with that first. At the end of the day there isn’t much that can’t be sorted if you put your mind to it.
What’s your favourite software?
I’ve got my database where I keep all my candidate and client info, but I recently added a game-changer: Calendly! It links up with my Outlook calendar, so now with one shareable link, clients and candidates can check when I’m free and book a call themselves—no more endless back-and-forth scheduling emails. It’s a massive time-saver! And on the compliance side, I’ve heard great things about Behavox Quantum for trade surveillance—It leverages AI and advanced machine learning algorithms to monitor vast amounts of data. It’s supposed to be top-notch.
Who is your favourite superhero?
Spiderman. My brother, who sadly passed away a few years ago, was a massive fan of Spiderman, we dressed him up as Spidey on his stag do! He loved the films and every time I watch them it reminds me of him
What’s your favourite song?
That’s a really tough one; it all depends on my mood. I have seen the Red Hot Chili Peppers twice and their “Californication” album has some good memories. “Scar Tissue” is probably my favourite.
Who is the best compliance consultancy business with L and C in the name?
There’s only one Leaman Crellin of course, Haha!
What skills do you think are most essential for future leaders in compliance?
Adaptability. The one constant I have seen is change. New regulations, policies, technology… if you are too stuck in your ways and can’t adapt you will be left behind.
What is your favourite chocolate bar?
Has to be a Snickers. During lockdown I discovered Snickers Ice cream bars, one of my lockdown highlights!
What’s your favourite sports team?
I have a season ticket at Crystal Palace football club. Currently we are languishing towards the bottom of the premier league. At the end of last season, before we sold our best player, seeing us dismantle Newcastle 2-0 and destroy Man Utd 4-0 gives me some fond memories.
Who inspired you most at work?
I’ve had the chance to work with some great leaders across the four companies I’ve been with, so it feels a bit unfair to pick just one as the most inspiring. That said, I’ve met some pretty incredible people through my work, including global compliance heads and some standout entrepreneurs. One that comes to mind is Ben Stanway, co-founder of Moneybox. I helped them hire their first head of compliance, and Ben pitched the whole Moneybox idea to me with so much clarity and excitement that I was instantly sold. And as a bonus, he also co-founded Bloom & Wild, the flower delivery service—which has definitely saved me a few times!
What’s your go-to comfort food?
I love crispy aromatic duck pancakes.
If you weren’t in compliance, what career do you think you would have pursued?
I love to cook and my mum was a chef. I love watching cooking programmes and trying my hand at new recipes. I had a pipe dream after visiting Mexico that I would start “Nico’s Tacos”
What’s one thing you wish people understood better about regulatory compliance?
The failure to comply comes with heavy costs both financially and reputationally. If you get it wrong, you are tarred and punished. Failure to invest in a regulatory compliance team that works with the business, rather than against it protects you from these risks.
Which is the most successful regulatory regime?
I would say SMCR has played a huge role in the financial services sector. From big to small firms, it has created accountability and enhanced governance. This transparency is great for leading an effective compliance structure and from a recruitment perspective it has required the need for additional headcount to burden the varying senior manager functions. Anything that creates more jobs, I’m always in favour of!
If you had the choice which regulator would you most want to be regulated by and why?
It has to be the FCA. I’ve done some recruitment for the FCA in the past and know a few people who work there. It’s a hard job they have to do and sometimes I think they deserve more credit. Also, if I see a candidate who has worked at the FCA in the past and had a few jobs in house after that, I instantly rate the calibre of the candidate. Knowing how the FCA works is great experience for any compliance officer.
What skills do you think are most important for success in compliance roles?
I would say a great skill I often get asked about is report writing. What that means to me is the ability to condense vast amounts of data whether that is new regulation, internal MI, compliance reviews into digestible and actionable content. The skill encapsulated when people say “report writing” is communication. The patience and intelligence required to interpret regulation and communicate it effectively for the right audience is key.
What's your favourite rule?
I do like CONC just because of how it sounds 😊but MIFID II has to be the most ubiquitous regulation across my area of specialisation. Please don’t ask me to quote it 😊
Can you share a memorable experience that shaped your view on compliance?
I remember watching Rogue Trader with Ewan McGregor, way before I began my career in compliance recruitment. I was surprised that Nick Leeson was able to get away with astronomical amounts of fraud and unauthorised trading unchecked. I suppose that formed my view on checks and balances required to uphold the financial markets.
What is one regulatory change you would advocate for if you had the power to implement it?
Barclay Simpson should be the preferred recruitment partner for all senior level hiring across London. Do you think the FCA could write that into the rules somewhere?😊
How do you stay current with the constantly evolving regulatory landscape?
Speaking to clients and candidates asking them about new projects they have coming up keeps me up to date with what’s going on. Scanning websites, listening to podcasts and keeping up to date with news also helps. While I am by no means a technical expert in rules and regulations, understanding the next big thing and its effect on the job market is important to me.
What is a common misconception people have about regulatory compliance work?
From the business’ perspective, compliance can be seen as a blocker which prohibits them from making money/growing the business. In a proper compliance culture, with the right compliance leader, compliance is a facilitator that collaborates with the business keeping everything in line and not at risk of abuse.
In your opinion, what’s the most interesting regulatory trend happening right now?
I’ve noticed a trend where a lot of regulatory jobs, particularly junior roles, are being offshored to cheaper international locations. While this may save money in the short term, it’s concerning because it’s cutting out a key layer of skilled compliance professionals who, if based in London, could develop into the next generation of middle management. Without those hands-on, in-the-field people here, we’re at risk of facing a serious skills gap in the future.
What do you see as the biggest future trend or change in regulatory compliance?
I can see compliance being less prescriptive and more data-led. With new technology and the ability to record and track more of what we do, compliance officers will have to evaluate this data and make actionable conclusions.
Do you have any favourite podcasts or blogs that focus on compliance or regulation?
I listen to “Following the Rules” by Lucy McNulty, a journalist who writes pieces for FT and Metro. She has some interesting guests on her show, and it gives me some good insights on my train journey into work.
If you could choose one superpower to help you in your compliance work, what would it be?
When things go wrong you just wish you could turn back time right? When things go wrong in compliance, turning back time and re-writing the past could be an excellent skill. So, it has to be Doctor Strange and time manipulation… But if I did manipulate time the TVA (Time Variant Authority) would hunt me down for breaking the rules. It seems as though there’s compliance, whatever superpower you have. (Yes, I’m a bit of a Marvel nerd)
Which cartoon character do you believe embodies good compliance practices/ is least compliant?
Lisa Simpson: She always seems to be the voice of reason in a chaotic household. She has intellectual curiosity, strong ethics, analytical skills, and persistence. These are all traits that would make her an ideal compliance officer.
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