In response to the growing demand for professional recognition and structured career development in the compliance consultancy space, the Association of Professional Compliance Consultants (APCC) has partnered with the Association of Governance, Risk and Compliance (AGRC) to launch a ground-breaking new qualification: the Diploma in Compliance Consultancy.
This industry-specific programme is designed to equip both new and experienced compliance consultants with the practical skills, technical knowledge, and professional credibility needed to thrive in the evolving UK financial services landscape. The Compliance Digest spoke with Beverley Robertson, Melony Holman, and Julie Ampadu from the APCC to learn more about the vision behind the Diploma, what sets it apart, and why it’s a timely development for the profession.
What motivated the Association of Professional Compliance Consultants (APCC) to develop a dedicated Diploma for Compliance Consultants, and how does it address the growing need for greater professionalism in the compliance industry?
Julie Ampadu: This Diploma has been many years in the making – 7 years in fact. We determined some time ago that ‘compliance consultancy’ tends to be a profession that people often fall into by accident rather than by design. We also realised that ‘compliance consultancy’ isn’t a recognised profession for those seeking a career in financial services and consequently there was no formal career path at all for compliance consultancy – limiting new entrants.
On this basis, we determined that it was time to do something about this. Compliance consultants usually partner with firms authorised and regulated in financial services, providing them with valuable, external expertise that supports their business, and new entrants are key to sustaining this.
We set up an Educational Working Group at the APCC, now led by Melony Holman and we partnered with the Association of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (AGRC), who have the specialist capabilities to design what has now become our new Diploma, benchmarked at Level 6.
Firms are looking at bringing in high levels of expertise to support them and so our new qualification is the perfect route to entry for those new to the compliance consultancy role or for those who are seeking to elevate their own expertise, supporting them towards higher levels of professionalism.
How does the APCC’s Diploma differ from other compliance training or certification programmes currently available, and how have you benchmarked its quality and credibility?
Beverley Robertson: The APCC Diploma in Compliance Consultancy is distinguished from other compliance training or certification programmes in several ways. First, I would note its practical application. The APCC Diploma emphasises practical application alongside real-world experience, equipping compliance consultants of any age with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle complex compliance challenges. The Diploma is specifically designed for compliance consultants, providing a deeper understanding of the skills and knowledge required for this role.
Second, I would highlight the Diploma’s industry recognition, as the APCC is a well-established and respected professional body in the compliance industry. The programme also has a comprehensive curriculum that covers a broad range of compliance topics, including regulatory requirements, risk management, and best practices.
As for benchmarking quality and credibility, working alongside AGRC, the APCC has ensured the Diploma programme is relevant and effective, and will support ongoing learning and professional development via Continuous Professional Development (CPD) hours accrued during the course.
The requirements for the APCC Diploma in Compliance Consultancy are to have a solid command of English, and one or more of the following: five (5) years of experience in the governance, risk and compliance (GRC) space, a Bachelors’ degree in a related field, or a Level 3 Certifications in GRC-related subjects. In addition, the applicants must have proof of APCC membership to lock in the discounted fees.
Who is eligible to take the APCC Diploma, and why is it a valuable qualification for both existing members and wider compliance professionals?
Julie Ampadu: Anyone interested in becoming a compliance consultant, or who is already practising, is eligible to study for the Diploma. Our APCC members have been our first port of call and we already have our first applicants.
Our member compliance consultants are fiercely aware of the higher levels of expertise they are expected to maintain and the Diploma provides the platform for them to achieve this aim. The Diploma is now also available to those outside of the APCC, either interested in compliance consultancy or those who are looking to refresh their knowledge and skills.
In what ways does the Diploma support Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and why is this important for compliance professionals at all stages of their career?
Melony Holman: So, whilst technically to be a compliance consultant you do not have to have a specific qualification to do your job, you do need to demonstrate competency. Firms will require evidence of a consultant’s competency as part of their due diligence when working with third parties, as required under the Senior Management and Certification Regime (SMCR).
This means that as a compliance consultant you will need to undertake regular CPD activity. This Diploma supports your CPD activity as it requires circa 200 hours of study time throughout the course of the Diploma, covering areas from risk management, corporate governance, financial crime, and UK regulatory compliance requirements including SMCR and Consumer Duty requirements.
In terms of why this diploma is useful for all compliance professionals regardless of what stage in their career they are at, I believe that if you are early on in your career in compliance, this Diploma compliments any other technical exams that you are undertaking. It also helps to understand what regulations are in place and why, so that you can better explain rules and requirements to your client i.e. the regulated entity. The Diploma also helps to home in on those soft skills that you need to have as a consultant.
As for the more experienced consultant, financial services are changing all the time and we need to be aware of what these changes are and the context of the changes i.e. what may be driving these changes. The APCC Diploma helps with tackling this.
I also believe that this Diploma helps to validate our expertise, especially to any regulated entities who want to see, as part of their due diligence, something that demonstrates the individual has undergone an extensive compliance specific programme and passed a qualification. Lastly, there are many of us who are experienced, but this Diploma will help to address any gaps in our knowledge that we didn’t know we had!
How does the APCC ensure that the Diploma aligns with real-world compliance challenges and complements practical experience in the field?
Melony Holman: The APCC worked really closely with the team at AGRC to make sure that this Diploma was developed with compliance consultants in mind – we were very clear on the target market for this qualification and the AGRC rose to this challenge with open arms.
They then set about ensuring that this Diploma was written by real life (not an AI bot), practising compliance consultants who are living this world with you. This means they know and understand some of the challenges that you experience in real life and they were able to impart this experience into the qualification itself.
Beyond the Diploma itself, how does being part of the APCC community enhance a compliance consultant’s career development and professional network?
Beverley Robertson: Being part of the Association of Professional Compliance Consultants (APCC) community can significantly enhance a compliance consultant’s career development and professional network in many ways.
For example, it gives you access to important industry events. APCC members can attend conferences and workshops, providing opportunities to stay up to date with the latest regulatory requirements and industry best practices. There are often opportunities to meet with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other industry experts in an informal setting, or contribute to consultation papers and working groups, and really steer the direction of future compliance regulation.
Being part of the APCC also provides you with professional development resources. We offer a range of resources, including webinars, online courses, and publications via our affiliate members, strategic partners, as well as our Education Hub that supports ongoing learning and professional development.
It also brings you into a community of like-minded peers, APCC members become part of a community of compliance professionals, providing opportunities to network, share experiences, and learn from others. We have opportunities via our new membership platform to engage in forums and working groups, as well as look for support from other members.
The APCC hosts networking events, allowing members to connect with other compliance professionals, potential clients, and industry experts – which could bring about new business opportunities. The APCC facilitates collaboration between members, enabling them to work together on projects, share knowledge, as well as receive new business enquires direct from the FCA.
By being part of the APCC community, compliance consultants can enhance their career development, expand their professional network, and increase their credibility and visibility within the industry.
Learn more about the Diploma in Compliance Consultancy and the application process.
Julie Ampadu, Former APCC Chair
Julie has recently retired as Chair of the APCC and remains a Director. She also owns Chameleon Compliance Ltd which delivers compliance consultancy and regulatory compliance training solutions for authorised firms. More recently, she has also launched The Culture Space, a centre of excellence for senior managers under the SMCR.
Melony Holman, APCC Director and Chair of the Education Working Group
Melony has been working in compliance for the last 27 years, mainly working with financial planners throughout the UK. She established Compliance & Training Solutions Ltd in 2005 and also sits on the Board of the APCC and is Chairperson of the APCC Education Working Group.
Beverley Robertson, APCC Board Member
With over 20 years of experience running her own GI compliance consultancy, Beverley also held the role of Company Secretary for the APCC in 2014. During her tenure, she advanced to Chief Operating Officer, a position she held until 2023. Currently, as a Board Member and an Honorary Member, Beverley focuses on supporting the APCC Education Hub and Working Group. Contributing to the inaugural APCC/AGRC Diploma in Compliance Consultancy has been an exciting and pivotal project, enhancing the APCC’s educational legacy.
