Appointed Representative Analyst Q&A | Alex Raws Tadai

Originally, I was always interested in pursuing a career as a solicitor. However, conversations with senior legal advisers unglamourised the profession – particularly when the topic of work-life balance and career progression came up. Exploring alternatives encouraged me to look for roles in compliance – a field that offered the same exposure to regulation and law, but with greater flexibility and clearer professional and personal development. A career in compliance also made a good fit as it allowed me to leverage my legal background and widen my interest on financial markets and Private Funds.

I studied Law at Lancaster University and graduated with a specialist pathway in Commercial and Company Law. I completed a dissertation focussed on a contentious and highly litigious area of law which required me to directly analyse and interpret legislation through case law. Possessing these skills for my current job has proven invaluable and translated into real-world problem-solving, especially when interpreting the FCA’s regulatory frameworks.

An Appointed Representative Analyst bridges the gap between compliance and client interactivity and is distinct from a traditional back-office compliance position. The tasks that I undertake will vary from day-to-day but consist of reviewing KYC/CDD documents, resolving client queries via emails or calls, or providing oversight on the regulated and unregulated activities of clients. The role also offers flexibility depending on the path that you wish to pursue: whether you prefer to develop your client-facing skills by participating in business development, or deepen your regulatory expertise and optimise internal operations, you are given the freedom to set your own goals and progress at your own pace.

Langham Hall stood out to me because it delivers on its “learn by doing” promise. Within my first month, I was already reviewing agreements, fielding FCA queries, and even meeting up with clients at their offices for annual health checks. The company has a very welcoming and friendly culture. Your team will strike the correct balance between independent work and support – I’ve been able to develop my own approach while knowing I can consult any colleague in my team, including very senior leadership. The company’s approach to work is more than simple box-ticking – whether that be analysing new FCA guidance or improving AR structures, there’s always a challenge to be involved in.

The first six months were challenging in the best way. After receiving comprehensive training on fund structures and the firm’s AR monitoring processes, I was quickly pushed onto real client work. While the learning curve is steep, you’re never alone from every step of the way. It was a great feeling to be entrusted with a lot of responsibility as early on as possible, and this helped contribute towards fast-paced progression. By month three, I was speaking to clients on specific matters I felt confident in, and by month six I was leading calls with clients and directly contributing to the improvement of our internal processes. It is definitely a role where you look back to where you started and realise how much you have progressed.

Even after six months, I recognise that there is a still lot of room for progression. I hope to refine my existing knowledge and become more confident at delivering solutions to my clients on technical and complex regulatory challenges. Langham Hall facilitates this by encouraging its staff to pursue professional qualifications to strengthen both regulatory knowledge and sectoral expertise.

Longer term, I aim to become well-rounded by improving upon my advisory skills, particularly in cross-jurisdictional compliance. Working directly with clients on UK, EU and US regulatory matters would allow me to develop a wider technical knowledge and add a personal touch to client service – an area where the firm's global presence adds real value.

For anyone entering Private Funds or Regulatory Hosting, my best recommendation would be to embrace the learning curve – no one expects you to know everything immediately. Getting through challenges and solving problems encourages you to utilise and build upon existing skills. It was important to always be curious and unafraid of reaching out to ask questions.