Lessons from her early years in compliance, and why it isn’t just a tick-box exercise.
Anastasia Kaisidou joined RQC Group in January 2025, after beginning her career at compliance consultancy Effecta. With a background in corporate finance and a long-standing interest in law, compliance felt like a natural bridge between two worlds. “Finance gave me insight into how the front office operates,” she explains. “But I always dreamed of studying law. Compliance combines both – it’s rules and regulations, but with a deep connection to how businesses actually function.”
Gaining a global perspective on compliance
Originally from Greece, Anastasia moved to the UK in 2022 to complete a master’s degree in corporate finance at Queen Mary University of London, graduating with distinction in 2023. Two years later, she is working across UK and US regulatory frameworks – supporting FCA authorisations, SEC filings, cross-border policies and ongoing compliance monitoring for a varied client base.
One theme that has struck is the challenge of cross-border regulation. “Small and medium-sized firms often don’t have the resources to run separate compliance processes for each jurisdiction,” she says. “But streamlining too much can mean missing critical local requirements. The real skill lies in finding a balance – controls that are broad enough to satisfy multiple regulators, but flexible enough to account for divergence.”
Beyond tick-box compliance
Anastasia recalls her first year in compliance as the most formative. “I realised very quickly that compliance isn’t just about following rules – it’s about understanding the firm and thinking ahead. It’s not a tick-box exercise. It’s about making compliance practical and proactive.”
She is aware of the tension firms face in balancing costs. “My role is to support our team to help prioritise risks for our clients so that their limited resources are directed where they matter most.”
People first, always
What motivates Anastasia now is the very thing that once intimidated her: interacting with people and asking questions. “At the beginning, I was nervous about speaking up in meetings. But over time, I’ve realised that the interaction with clients and colleagues is what keeps me engaged. It’s about listening, exchanging views and solving problems together.”
For her, success in compliance hinges on communication as much as technical knowledge. “Attention to detail is vital, but so is the ability to explain complex rules simply. Many clients don’t have a compliance background. Being able to translate regulatory language into something practical and digestible – that’s the real skill.”
Looking ahead
Anastasia believes compliance will become more deeply integrated into firms’ strategies over the next five years. “It shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought or a separate function. Compliance needs to sit alongside risk management and operations as a core part of business resilience.”
Life beyond the office
Away from regulatory frameworks, Anastasia is an avid consumer of cooking tutorials. “I love watching people create elaborate dishes on Instagram, even if I stick to my usual sandwich,” she jokes. Asked who she’d most like to have dinner with, her answer is fitting: “A famous chef. I’d love to hear the behind-the-scenes stories from a busy kitchen.”
Her advice to her younger self? “Start asking questions sooner. It’s OK not to know everything at first – curiosity is how you grow.”
With her client-first approach and appetite for learning, Anastasia is learning that compliance done well is about far more than ticking boxes – it’s about people, priorities and progress.
