Pennell Hart: Women in Compliance

SO: For many people the route into compliance is nonlinear, can you tell us how you entered the profession and what motivated you to pursue this career path?

?SB: I qualified into Real Estate Finance and after 7 years decided I wanted to do something different to transactional law. At the time I had friends leaving London and the legal profession to pursue careers that were completely different – opening cooking schools in Cornwall and running ski chalets in Morzine – but I still enjoyed being a lawyer so I looked into what else I could do that would give me the variety and challenge I wanted. I accepted a role in the wonderful Risk Team at Bird & Bird in London in 2011 and I still am in this area many years later!

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SO: What are some of the common misconceptions about compliance, and how do you work to dispel them??

SB: I think it can sometimes be seen as cumbersome, painful or at best as an optional extra. Taking a commercial, risk-based approach and explaining the ‘why’ is really key to bringing your stakeholders with you and fostering an understanding of why the processes and policies we put in place are important. Sometimes they can, ultimately, make the difference between the business and/or individuals in the business being able to continue to do what they do!

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SO: What do you think are the most important qualities for success in compliance, and how can people develop these traits?

SB: No one day is the same. Flexibility and the ability to pivot from one area of law or regulation to another numerous times a day is essential. Having a thick skin also helps!

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SO: For all those fresh faced female graduates who are considering a compliance career, what advice do you have for them and what steps should they take to get started?

?SB: A good mentor or sounding board is invaluable – it’s not an area where answers are always black or white so it always helps to have a trusted advisor. The job is what you make of it so put your hand up to get involved in a wide variety of projects and issues – broad experience will stand you in good stead as you progress and give you the exposure and experience to be able to deal with problems that you have never encountered before.?

SO: Tell me something about yourself that has nothing to do with compliance…

?SB: I speak Swahili!