Meet an ICA Member

Kensley McDowall, FICA
Managing Director, Caribbean Compliance Consultants

1. How long have you worked in compliance?

I have worked in compliance for over fifteen years.

2. How did you land your first role in compliance?

It was not by design. Coming from an Law Enforcement background, I trained as an attorney but stumbled on compliance which was a relatively new area in 1999. I realised that it was an area that had the potential for growth. I accepted a compliance position with a Trust Company within a global bank and honed my compliance skills.

3. What do you enjoy the most about your role?

Every aspect of a company's business needs to be in compliance at all times. The compliance role therefore affords me a complete oversight of all aspects of the company's entire business. It is exciting and rewarding to be entrusted with responsibility so varied and of such importance.

4. What skills do you think you need for your type of role?

One has to be thorough and meticulousness. This is aided by knowledge and experience. One needs to be frank and diplomatic at the same time. These need to be blended with a good dose of pragmatism since one always needs to find an acceptable balance between the compliance function and the business reality.

5. Do you have any advice for those looking to move into a career in compliance?

Become a compliance specialist. There is no halfway position. Become a compliance expert and an expert in the area of business that you are overseeing.

6. What has been your career highlight so far?

Building a Compliance Programme and cultivating a compliance culture from scratch and taking the company successfully through two onsight visits with the regulators. Was rewarded with a pay rise!