In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating leaders who elevate advisory excellence, deepen regulatory credibility, and advance industry thought leadership. Today, we spotlight Charlotte Longman, Managing Director in our UK regulatory practice, whose expertise, mentoring mindset, and client-first approach reflect the core values of our advisory practice.
What inspired you to pursue a career in advisory, and what continues to draw you to this work today?
My interest in advisory started with a strong academic foundation in financial services law at the university. I chose not to pursue a legal career, but that exposure sparked a genuine passion for compliance. I began in an entry-level monitoring role and progressed to a compliance officer position, leading a team and gaining hands-on experience that grounded my future approach.
I later moved to a global firm, and a restructuring prompted a career pivot that opened the door to consulting, an environment where I could apply my regulatory knowledge in a more dynamic, client-focused way.
Advisory work energizes me because no two days are the same. The pace, constant learning, and collaboration with colleagues who bring diverse perspectives make the work intellectually stimulating and deeply rewarding. That blend of challenge and growth keeps me committed to the UK regulatory advisory space.
What motivates you most about the work you do today, particularly the impact you have on clients or the industry?
I am motivated by sharing knowledge and developing others. I’ve shifted from focusing solely on my own technical depth to mentoring and coaching colleagues so they can deliver confident, high-quality advice. By building deep regulatory understanding and sound judgement across our teams, we strengthen consistency, capability, and credibility.
That internal investment has a direct client impact. Well-informed teams translate regulatory complexity into clear, pragmatic guidance that clients can trust, turning words into action. Credibility isn’t just knowing the rules; it’s understanding how they apply in practice and helping clients meet expectations in ways aligned to their business objectives. Creating that multiplier effect, developing people, improving client outcomes, and reinforcing trust is what motivates me.
How would you describe your leadership style and your approach to guiding teams and advising clients through complex challenges?
I lead by example and strive to be approachable and accessible. I want people to feel supported to achieve their full potential because when individuals grow, the whole team succeeds.
With clients, I use a structured, methodical approach: understand the root of the issue, break it into clear components, and guide them through a practical project plan, from diagnosis to successful delivery. Across team leadership and client work, I focus on collaboration, clarity, and empowering others to navigate complexity with confidence.
What accomplishment or client outcome are you especially proud of, and why?
I am especially proud of a secondment that began as a short engagement and extended to approximately 18 months (part-time). I became fully integrated into the firm’s day-to-day compliance operations and, during its acquisition by a large financial institution, was the go-to compliance contact. It was an early but meaningful endorsement of trust and professionalism after my pivot into advisory.
More broadly, I’m proud of developing my subject matter expert status in transaction reporting by co-designing and leading ACA’s Regulatory Reporting Monitoring and Assurance service, which provides assurance over the completeness and accuracy of EMIR and MiFIR reporting. Co-authoring the Alternative Investment Management Association’s Transaction Reporting Guide and publishing in the Journal of Financial Compliance were particularly meaningful ways to contribute to industry thinking beyond individual engagements.
Are there trends or shifts clients should be thinking about right now?
Regulators are increasingly focused on the quality, governance, and accountability underpinning compliance frameworks, particularly in transaction reporting, conflicts of interest, and senior manager accountability.
Transaction reporting remains under sustained scrutiny as firms prepare for rule changes and evolving expectations. Accuracy, completeness, and governance are central, and clients need confidence that data, controls, and oversight can stand up to regulatory challenge. Proactive review and independent assurance, supported by advisory input, can materially reduce risk.
Conflicts of interest, especially in private markets, continue to attract attention. As strategies become more complex, firms must demonstrate that conflicts are identified, actively managed, and governed. Advisory support can help challenge frameworks, test operational effectiveness, and strengthen governance.
Finally, developments under SM&CR and the non-financial misconduct regime reinforce the focus on personal accountability. Senior individuals need clear responsibility mapping, supported by robust governance, documentation, and oversight. The opportunity for clients is to use advisory support strategically to strengthen frameworks, upskill teams, and embed clarity and accountability into their practice, rather than relying on reactive compliance.
What is the biggest opportunity for women in advisory today, and how can organizations better support that growth?
One of the biggest opportunities is building credibility as trusted advisers and leaders. Advisory values judgement, confidence, and the ability to translate complexity into practical advice.
Flexible working has also been pivotal, first when I had my son and even more so after my daughter. Genuine trust and flexibility mean women don’t have to choose between career progression and personal commitments. When organizations invest in capability, trust, mentorship, and flexibility, especially at key career moments, they don’t just support women’s progression; they strengthen the resilience and credibility of their advisory practice.
Is there a piece of advice that’s shaped how you show up as a trusted partner?
The piece of advice is to understand the problem before offering a solution. It’s easy to jump to technical answers, but real partnership starts with context, listening carefully, asking the right questions, and offering advice that is technically sound, practical, and proportionate. Clients value clarity and judgement as much as expertise, and they’re often mindful of not wanting to be outliers. Being thoughtful, honest, and consistent, while sharing relevant peer insights, goes a long way in building strong, long-term relationships.
Conclusion
Charlotte’s career reflects what exceptional advisory leadership looks like in practice: disciplined thinking, practical judgement, and a deep commitment to mentoring teams and strengthening client outcomes. Her subject-matter expertise in transaction reporting (EMIR/MiFIR), experience across complex regulatory change (e.g., MiFID II), and contributions to industry discourse position her as a trusted partner to UK-regulated firms.
Connect with ACA and learn firsthand how our experienced team can support your firm.