"We want to support firms in keeping their businesses safe and resilient, whilst they focus their attention on supporting and serving their customers"
The new team collectively brings regulatory experience of more than 100 years, and will help TMA support their DA firms with compliance matters.
Alison Stidolph previously worked for Lloyds Banking Group for more than 26 years and later joined a local estate agent broker team in the North East of England as a compliance manager.
Paul Walton also started his career at Lloyds, and has 35 years of experience, including setting up an AR firm for three years with First Complete.
Roger Holmes joined from Halifax Bank, where he worked as a mortgage adviser, branch manager and area mortgage manager.
Sarah McKenna has been in the mortgage industry for 19 years. Her experience includes previously working as a compliance manager for a DA firm based in Surrey, where she managed the FCA register and complaints, and implemented controls for the firm.
The support being offered by the new compliance team can be bespoke to each DA business. The team can work with DAs to discuss and explore the firm’s current position detailing relevant controls, systems and structures, with a plan that should be reviewed every twelve months, and which considers any changes in the firm’s circumstances and objectives, or any risks identified.
The plan will contain specific elements of the firm’s conduct of business and oversight in respect of systems and controls, and will identify current business practices which need intervention, resolution or mitigation in order to meet FCA expectations for advice.
In addition to the above, TMA will continue to offer file checking, themed regulatory workshops, support with DA authorisation, complaints handling and guidance documentation on RMAR completion.
Lisa Martin, DA development director at TMA, commented: “With heightened regulatory focus on consumer duty, vulnerable customers and GI pricing coupled with increased global threat of ransomware, TMA believe DA firms will hugely benefit from the support we offer, provided by subject matter experts from within our wider ‘Network of PRIMIS’. We want to support firms in keeping their businesses safe and resilient, whilst they focus their attention on supporting and serving their customers with financial advice reviews and requirements.”
