A conversation with Cilla Torode: Oversight, client trust, and why compliance doesn’t have to be lonely

Cilla is our Regulatory and Compliance Practice Lead in Guernsey, with over 25 years’ experience across insurance, regulatory engagement and consulting. She leads the local team, supports clients with prescribed roles, and works closely with boards and senior management to strengthen governance and regulatory readiness.

We spoke to her about the kinds of challenges clients are bringing to the table, the pressures facing in-house teams, and why having someone to call still matters.

You’ve got a broad remit. How would you describe what you do day to day?

I lead the Guernsey practice, so I’m across everything from team oversight and budgets to client relationships and new business. I still hold prescribed roles for a couple of clients, but my focus is more strategic than operational. It’s about making sure we’re aligned to what clients need now, and what they’ll need next.

I also head up demonstrations of our Gateway compliance platform and get involved in proposals. Ultimately, I’m focused on helping clients see how we can support them in a way that’s practical and proportionate.

What sort of client situations are landing on your desk at the moment?

It’s a real mix. Some clients want us fully embedded – holding prescribed roles, running monitoring programmes, being on-site weekly. Others just want a trusted partner they can call when something crops up. And then there are those who’ve had a regulatory visit and need help putting things right.

We work across fund managers, trusts, estate agents and legal firms, so the needs vary. But the common thread is that they want someone who can step in with confidence and get it right the first time.

What’s behind that demand, is it just resourcing pressure?

That’s a big part of it. In Guernsey, the talent pool is small. Regulation is getting tougher. And prescribed roles carry personal liability – fines, reputational risk etc. That’s a lot to ask of in-house teams, especially when it’s hard to find people with the right experience.

We’re seeing more clients recognise that. They want someone qualified, current, and confident enough to take on those responsibilities – or at least support them properly.

We often talk about being a trusted adviser for our clients. What does that look like in practice?

It’s about being available. Compliance can be a lonely place, especially when you’re holding prescribed roles. Clients tell us they get real comfort from knowing we’re here – that they’re not on their own. That they’ve got someone to turn to who knows what they’re doing.

We’re not here to take over. We’re here to support. Whether it’s a full programme or a one-off health check, we can flex around what the client needs.

Are there any blind spots you think firms are still missing?

Some still assume compliance has to be done in-house or that outsourcing means losing control. But that’s not the case. We’re not here to dilute responsibility. We’re here to help firms meet it properly.

And I think some underestimate how hard it is to hire well. We’re seeing people step into senior roles without the experience to match, because the market’s so tight. That carries real risk, and it’s where my team can make a real difference.

What keeps you motivated in the role?

The relationships. I’m a people person. I love spending time with clients, understanding their business, where they’re going, what they need, and delivering it. It all boils down to trust, and being someone they can rely on.

And if you had to give one piece of advice to a client trying to stay ahead?

Don’t wait for something to go wrong. Get a health check. Just because you haven’t had a breach doesn’t mean everything’s working as it should. You have your boiler serviced annually for a reason, and you should treat your compliance framework in exactly the same way.

Last one. What’s your escape from all things compliance?

Walking my dog around Saint Martins or hosting friends in the bar we’ve built at home. It’s a great spot to unwind and catch-up.