Ninety One’s Richard Brearley on compliance’s ’PR problem’, navigating ESG, and why most regtechs are doomed to fail

Today’s guest warns that the compliance sector risks a major skills shortage in its junior ranks. He reveals why the majority of regulatory technology solutions can not live up to their promise. He unpicks the compliance challenge created by the increasing regulatory focus on environmental, social and governance matters and he outlines the skills he looks for when hiring compliance professionals in a rapidly-changing sector.

Richard Brearley has spent almost 30 years helping to shape or navigate financial regulation. His career includes four years as a regulator in the markets division of the Financial Conduct Authority’s predecessor the Financial Services Authority, and 16 years in senior compliance roles at large funds and banks. Since 2021, he has led the compliance division at global investment manager Ninety One.