Karen Wagstaffe
Foston,Derbyshire
Summary
Experienced Compliance Director with talent for implementing robust regulatory frameworks and driving organisational excellence. Focused on fostering culture of integrity and transparency, resulting in heightened stakeholder trust and operational efficiency.
Strong skills in regulatory reporting, change management, and compliance oversight. Proven leadership in board reporting, FCA liaison, and financial promotions, with a successful history in acquisition integration and SM&CR certified population oversight.
Committed to enhancing organizational performance through training content development and policy procedure architecture.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work history
Group Finance & Insurance Compliance Director
Sytner Group Limited
2014.09 - 2026.03
- Executed Group Governance, Risk and Compliance plan within Sytner Group Limited (150+ dealerships, 10,000+ employees).
- Designed, delivered and embedded Consumer Duty, including policy suite, training, customer outcome MI and board reporting.
- Developed innovative solutions, resolved complex regulatory challenges effectively.
- Achieved enhanced efficiency with thorough audits and reviews.
Owner / Compliance Consultant
KMW Automotive Solutions Limited
2008.02 - 2014.09
- Founded and operated a specialist consultancy delivering compliance advisory services to automotive retailers, lenders and insurance MGA organisations.
- Provided practical and commercially focused guidance to help firms implement FCA regulatory frameworks relating to Consumer Credit and Insurance Distribution, including advisory support for Principal / Appointed Representative structures.
Group F&I & Compliance Manager
Dutton Forshaw Motor Company
2001.07 - 2007.12
- Responsible for ensuring F&I sales operations were compliant with relevant FSA and OFT regulations across the dealer network.
- Led the implementation of General Insurance regulation, working closely with insurance providers to ensure compliance while maintaining commercial performance.
Associate Director Key Accounts (Motor Finance Division)
Capital Bank (HBOS / Lloyds Banking Group)
2000.01 - 2001.01
- Led a team of four Key Account Managers managing relationships with major automotive dealer groups and PLC organisations.
Training & Development Manager
Capital Bank (HBOS / Lloyds Banking Group)
1996.01 - 2000.01
- Designed and delivered training programmes covering F&I sales, regulatory compliance and professional development.
Marketing Manager
Tayside Aviation Limited
1994.01 - 1996.01
Aerospace System Operator
Royal Air Force
1991.01 - 1994.01
Office Administrator
Gerards Confections
1986.01 - 1991.01
Education
NVQ Level 4 - Training & Development
Diploma - Management Studies
HNC - Management Studies
MA - Leadership & Management
Middlesex University
Skills
- Regulatory strategy and governance
- Consumer duty design and embedding
- Regulatory reporting and change management
- Compliance monitoring and assurance
- Board reporting and challenge
- FCA liaison and regulatory submissions
- Financial promotions oversight
- Acquisition integration leadership
- SM&CR certified population oversight
- Policy procedure and training architecture
- Team leadership and development
Career Highlights
- Led the design and full implementation the Consumer Duty programme across a network of 150+ dealerships (£7bn+ turnover, 10,000+ colleagues).
- Appointed Consumer Duty Board Champion (2023).
- Completed numerous S178 applications (end-to-end) and key contact for FCA relationship.
- Established a risk management framework with regular reporting to Compliance and Risk Board, US and UK Boards, strengthening conduct risk oversight and assurance.
- Brought e-learning provision in-house creating FCA-focused compliance training modules. Led development of a Vulnerable Customer awareness programme including internal training hubs.
- Designed and implemented a bespoke electronic Demands & Needs system. Instrumental in defending Motor Finance complaints (100% of FOS complaints found in our favour).
- Designed and launched a centralised Customer Feedback Portal capturing all customer interactions and complaints.
- Designed and launched a compliance monitoring portal providing real time Management Information.
- Designed and implemented an Automated Dealfile Audit system (ADA). Workload saving in excess of 1000 hours per annum; improved customer outcomes.
Industry Engagement
Active participant in industry forums and regulatory training initiatives including Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) events, NFDA industry forums, IMI F&I training programmes and Auxillias industry events.
Timeline
Group Finance & Insurance Compliance Director
Sytner Group Limited
2014.09 - 2026.03
Owner / Compliance Consultant
KMW Automotive Solutions Limited
2008.02 - 2014.09
Group F&I & Compliance Manager
Dutton Forshaw Motor Company
2001.07 - 2007.12
Associate Director Key Accounts (Motor Finance Division)
Capital Bank (HBOS / Lloyds Banking Group)
2000.01 - 2001.01
Training & Development Manager
Capital Bank (HBOS / Lloyds Banking Group)
1996.01 - 2000.01
Marketing Manager
Tayside Aviation Limited
1994.01 - 1996.01
Aerospace System Operator
Royal Air Force
1991.01 - 1994.01
Office Administrator
Gerards Confections
1986.01 - 1991.01
Diploma - Management Studies
HNC - Management Studies
NVQ Level 4 - Training & Development
MA - Leadership & Management
Middlesex University