Compliance Recruitment Solutions

Compliance Recruitment Solutions is a specialist recruitment agency founded in 1996 by former compliance officers who bring deep technical expertise to every placement. The firm was established by David Symes, who previously served as Deputy Head of Group Compliance at Guardian Royal Exchange (a FTSE 100 insurance group), and Gary Collins, who worked in compliance and risk roles at Ernst and Young and Deutsche Bank. Because the founders understand the technical aspects of compliance roles and the pressures of the sector, they focus exclusively on placing candidates whose functional skills, sector experience and seniority genuinely match client requirements. The agency can assemble relevant shortlists quickly, often drawing on relationships built over many years, and can advise on market rates and role specifications based on their experience since the introduction of proactive regulation in Financial Services in 1988.

Compliance Recruitment Solutions specialises in recruiting for anti-bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering (including customer due diligence and know-your-customer processes), compliance including conduct risk and COBS, corporate governance and ethics, data privacy and protection, financial crime including forensic and fraud investigation, internal audit and information security, and prudential and regulatory reporting. The firm also places professionals in risk management roles across these disciplines. Their expertise spans financial services including banking, buy and sell side investment management, and insurance, as well as payment services and broader fintech companies, professional services such as accountancy and legal practices, and non-financial sectors including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, mining, publishing and telecoms or utilities.

The agency operates across the UK, including the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, and maintains a European network with partners based in Ireland, Spain and Switzerland who are also former compliance officers. Compliance Recruitment Solutions has made placements globally across North and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, the Far East and Australia. Clients choose the firm for its founder-led approach, deep sector knowledge, ability to understand both technical requirements and cultural fit, and access to a network of experienced compliance professionals built over decades in the industry.