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Award-Winning Support for
Financial Services Firms

Thistle Group brings together two specialist consultancies with one shared aim: use our market-leading expertise to help innovative financial services firms deliver effective change, stay compliant and drive sustainable growth.

 

Firms today face increasing regulatory pressure, operational complexity and fast‑changing customer expectations. Thistle Initiatives and TORI Global offer clients bespoke support and partnership through it all.

 

From applications, supervision and enforcement, to compliance transformation, operation excellence and digital transformation programmes, Thistle Group helps firms deliver growth with confidence. 

1000+

Successful FCA applications

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Winner of Best Financial Services Compliance Consultancy 2020 - 2024

2000+

Happy customers served

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Regulatory compliance specialists

 

We help firms navigate complex regulatory and operational challenges with commercially focused, hands‑on support. We support clients across the full regulatory lifecycle, from authorisations and ongoing compliance to advisory work, financial crime, supervision and enforcement, and complex transformation programmes.

 

We also specialise in M&A and transaction services, including due diligence and regulatory assessments. Our teams help firms understand their obligations, strengthen controls, embed good conduct and prepare effectively for regulatory scrutiny.

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Operational efficiency and transformation

 

TORI Global helps firms shape their business and technology strategy, build future‑ready operating models, optimise critical processes, and accelerate digital transformation through advanced cyber security and AI capabilities.

 

We focus on practical delivery and measurable outcomes, delivering excellence and a carefully curated approach to each client and each project.

Sectors We Operate In

Regulatory support built around how your sector really works.
Investments and Wealth Investments and Wealth

Investments and Wealth

From acquisition due diligence to FCA applications and keeping up to date on your regulatory responsibilities

Credit and Mortgages Credit and Mortgages

Credit and Mortgages

Our specialists are one of the few compliance teams in the UK dedicated to the mortgage and consumer credit sector.

Payment Services Payment Services

Payment Services

We understand start-ups, we understand fintechs and we know compliance for all kinds of payment service providers

Insurance Insurance

Insurance

Tailored regulatory support to manage FCA engagement and stay on top of evolving responsibilities.

Banking Banking

Banking

We help banks and building societies navigate FCA expectations, manage risk, and embed good governance without slowing the business down.

Digital Assets and Crypto Digital Assets and Crypto

Digital Assets and Crypto

Future proof your business with water-tight compliance and recognise your regulatory responsibilities as an opportunity for growth

Services We Offer

Practical solutions across the regulatory lifecycle, helping firms grow.
Regulatory Compliance Transformation Regulatory Compliance Transformation

Regulatory Compliance Change and Transformation

Structured support through regulatory change. We help firms respond to new requirements and embed change in a practical, controlled way without disrupting the business.

Digital and Data Transformation Digital and Data Transformation

Digital and Data Transformation

Whether you are preparing for, undergoing, or have just been through a transformation, we can assist at every point in the project lifecycle.

Financial Crime Financial Crime

Financial Crime

Practical support for AML, sanctions, and financial crime risk. We help firms design proportionate controls, support due diligence and FCA applications, and keep frameworks effective as the business grows.

M&A Services M&A Services

M&A Services

Clear regulatory insight throughout the deal lifecycle. We support due diligence, FCA engagement, and post‑completion integration to help transactions progress smoothly and without surprises.

Operational Excellence Operational Excellence

Operational Excellence

Resilience resides in excellent operations. From operating models and SLAs, to infrastructure and outsourcing, we can help you drive efficiency across the full spectrum of business operations.

Supervision and Enforcement Supervision and Enforcement

Supervision and Enforcement

Experienced support during FCA engagement. We help firms manage supervision and enforcement matters calmly, strategically, and with a clear focus on protecting the business.

Services We Offer

Practical solutions across the regulatory lifecycle, helping firms grow.

CT

Regulatory Compliance Change and Transformation

Structured support through regulatory change. We help firms respond to new requirements and embed change in a practical, controlled way without disrupting the business.

digital

Digital and Data Transformation

Whether you are preparing for, undergoing, or have just been through a transformation, we can assist at every point in the project lifecycle.

crime

Financial Crime

Practical support for AML, sanctions, and financial crime risk. We help firms design proportionate controls, support due diligence and FCA applications, and keep frameworks effective as the business grows.

MA

M&A Services

Clear regulatory insight throughout the deal lifecycle. We support due diligence, FCA engagement, and post‑completion integration to help transactions progress smoothly and without surprises.

excellence

Operational Excellence

Resilience resides in excellent operations. From operating models and SLAs, to infrastructure and outsourcing, we can help you drive efficiency across the full spectrum of business operations.

supervision

Supervision and Enforcement

Experienced support during FCA engagement. We help firms manage supervision and enforcement matters calmly, strategically, and with a clear focus on protecting the business.

 

 

Bringing Thistle Initiatives and TORI Global together strengthens our ability to support clients at every stage of their journey. Thistle Group gives firms a trusted partner who understands regulation, operations and transformation in equal measure.

By combining deep regulatory expertise with strong operational and digital capability, we can help clients navigate complexity, deliver meaningful change and build for long‑term, sustainable growth.

Scott Friedrichs
Chief Executive Officer

 

Scott Friedrichs 2 - 1920 WEB ROUNDED

Bringing Thistle Initiatives and TORI Global together strengthens our ability to support clients at every stage of their journey. Thistle Group gives firms a trusted partner who understands regulation, operations and transformation in equal measure.

By combining deep regulatory expertise with strong operational and digital capability, we can help clients navigate complexity, deliver meaningful change and build for long‑term, sustainable growth.

Scott Friedrichs
Chief Executive Officer

 

Harry Cotton - 1200 rounded

Harry Cotton   linkedin-lead 1 mail
Partner and Head of M&A

Harry supports growth across all areas at Thistle Initiatives, with a particular focus on guiding clients and advisors through M&A in the Wealth space.

Prior to this, Harry served as a British Army Officer and later transitioned into Private Banking and Wealth Management, where he worked as a growth focused proposition lead and client advisor across a range of businesses. He also holds the Investment Advice Diploma and is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments.