Expertise
We partner with businesses to ensure regulation and compliance supports growth and business transformation, rather than competing with it.
Explore service
Delivering regulatory change that supports growth
Who we are
Recognised as Leading Consulting Firm by Consultancy.uk
2026
14+
years delivering regulatory and transformational change
2000+
financial services firms advised
1200+
FCA applications and variations supported
400+
client projects delivered in 2025
£20bn+
of M&A deal value supported
80+
experienced consultants and industry experts
Sectors
Our sector expertise
We build compliance around how businesses actually operate. With deep experience across financial services sectors, we understand what firms need to succeed and what regulators expect to see.
Investments and wealth
We work with wealth managers, asset managers, investment advisers, platforms, fund managers, brokers and other investment firms across every stage of their growth journey.
Credit and mortgages
We support consumer credit firms, mortgage intermediaries, lenders, servicers and specialist finance providers navigating an evolving regulatory landscape.
Insurance
We work with insurers, intermediaries, managing general agents (MGAs) and insurance service providers to manage regulatory change and strengthen operational resilience.
Digital assets and crypto
We support cryptoasset businesses, digital asset firms, exchanges, custodians and innovative market entrants operating in a rapidly developing regulatory environment.
Payment services
We work with payment institutions, electronic money institutions (EMIs), fintechs and payment service providers as they launch, scale and expand in regulated markets.
Banking
We support challenger banks, established banks, building societies and other deposit-taking institutions with regulatory compliance, governance and transformation initiatives.
Our regulatory compliance and change capabilities
Regulatory compliance services
We collaborate with businesses to address complex regulatory challenges, integrating extensive regulatory expertise with practical industry experience. By supporting leadership teams, compliance departments and key stakeholders, we empower companies to navigate regulatory landscapes effectively. Our approach enables businesses to make informed decisions, manage regulatory risks, and grow confidently in an ever-evolving compliance environment.
Change and transformation consulting
We help ambitious financial services firms deliver complex change with clarity, pace and control. From strategy through to execution, we ensure transformation programmes meet regulatory expectations while supporting commercial growth.
Financial crime compliance
We support firms across the full spectrum of financial crime risk, helping to prevent, detect and respond to issues relating to anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF), sanctions, fraud, market abuse, anti-bribery and corruption (ABC), and the facilitation of tax evasion.
M&A and transaction services
We offer comprehensive M&A and transaction support for regulated financial services firms. Our services empower you to effectively manage risk, navigate FCA requirements, and achieve successful outcomes without sacrificing your commercial momentum. With our deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, we ensure that your transactions are executed smoothly and in adherence to all necessary guidelines.
About us
Why Thistle Consulting?
By embedding compliance into business transformation, we build companies that stand up to scrutiny and support long-term, sustainable growth.
01
Built for compliant change
With 14 years of award-winning compliance experience, we know compliance and transformation are delivered together, so change holds up and delivers real value.
14+ years of regulatory and transformation expertise
02
Expert by design
Our teams are specialists. We bring deep regulatory and change expertise, drawn from regulated financial services firms, law firms, consultancies and the FCA itself.
80+ experts with hands-on regulatory and industry experience
03
Trusted by regulators
We work to regulator standards across authorisation, supervision, remediation, enforcement and more, and are a member of the FCA and PRA’s Skilled Person panel.
1,200+ FCA applications and variations of permission supported
04
Focused on outcomes
We go beyond regulatory box ticking. By aligning compliance with commercial objectives and strategic positioning, we help firms grow with confidence.
2,000+ financial services firms supported
05
Driven by partnership
We work alongside your teams from problem definition through to execution. We share ownership and accountability, and stay engaged until your outcomes are delivered.
500+ projects delivered each year
Thistle has supported us with our ongoing compliance requirements ever since they helped us become an authorised EMI. The team are highly knowledgeable, constructive and pragmatic. They explain complex issues clearly and always apply a commercial mindset.
Verto FX
Thistle assists us across all areas of regulatory business, from authorisation and variations of permission to day to day compliance queries. Their advice is clear, practical and allows us to keep moving forward with confidence.
Vinco
We wholeheartedly recommend Thistle to any organisation seeking trusted, expert guidance. Their commitment to quality, combined with their collaborative spirit, makes them a true partner in driving excellence.
PMCA
Our work
Case studies across financial services
Strengthening compliance oversight following an insurance broker acquisition
Thistle Consulting supported a UK-based insurance broker to strengthen its compliance oversight following an acquisition, providing fractional compliance leadership, thematic reviews and practical remediation support to establish a stronger foundation for future growth.
Supporting a private medical insurance group to a successful FCA supervision visit
HMCA, a private medical insurance support group engaged Thistle’s Insurance team to address significant compliance gaps and strengthen its regulatory framework. Through a tailored remediation programme and hands-on support during an FCA supervision visit, the firm established a clearer, more robust approach to ongoing compliance.
Ready to deliver regulatory change with confidence?
If you are navigating regulatory complexity, business transformation or growth, we bring the clarity and expertise to move you forward with confidence.
Sector*BankingCredit & InsuranceDigital AssetsFinancial CrimeInvestments - PlatformsInvestmentsMortgagesPayment ServicesChange & Transformation
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