Meet the Sponsor: Ocorian

Each month, we’re spotlighting one of our brilliant sponsors behind the Gala Dinner – this time it’s Ocorian, and Head of the Regulatory & Compliance Team, Cilla Torode.

1. What should we know about you, and the company you work for?

We help clients make sense of regulation and stay on the right side of it – whether that’s day-to-day support or stepping in when things get more serious.

My role covers a bit of everything: managing the team, looking after client relationships, keeping an eye on the numbers, and working on new business. I also run demos of our compliance platform, Gateway- sitting down with prospective clients to understand what they need and how we can help. It’s a great mix of strategy and sleeves-rolled-up problem-solving.

2. What’s something most people don’t know about your company, but should?

We’re a compliance consultancy, but we’re not just here to give advice and walk away.

Clients come to us when they need someone to step in and help sort things out. That might mean taking on a prescribed role at short notice, supporting a remediation project under regulator scrutiny, or helping a board get its governance back on track.

We don’t do cookie-cutter solutions. Some clients want someone on-site every week. Others just need a sounding board. We flex to fit and we’re not afraid to get stuck in when it matters.

3. Why are you supporting this year’s Gala Dinner?

 Because relationships matter. The Gala’s a great way to connect with peers, clients, partners, and to support the wider community we’re all part of. Compliance can be a lonely job, especially when you’re the one holding personal liability. Events like this remind people they’re not on their own and that there’s a network around them.

4. What’s your team most proud of right now?

We’re really proud of the difference we’ve made this year – especially helping clients through some tough regulatory moments. That’s included remediation work, governance reviews, and supporting firms under scrutiny. It’s not always visible work, but it matters, and we know we’ve helped.

We’re also proud of how we work together. The team brings a mix of experience, pragmatism, and calm under pressure,  and that’s what clients value. We’re not here to make noise. We’re here to get things done.

5. What kind of impact do you want to make through your work or in the community?

I want our clients to feel like they’re in safe hands – especially when the pressure’s on. That means knowing the rules, yes, but also being practical, responsive, and human.

And I want to help grow the next generation of compliance professionals. There’s a real risk of people being promoted too fast into roles they’re not ready for,  and that’s not fair on them or the firms they work for. I’d like to see more structure, more mentoring, and more support for people doing this work properly.

6. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in your industry?

Don’t skip the hard yards.

There’s a tendency to promote people quickly, often because firms are short on resource. But if you haven’t had time to build your knowledge, you won’t be able to advise a board with confidence. Take the time to learn properly. It pays off.

7. What’s your go-to pick-me-up after a long day — coffee, music, fresh air, or something stronger?

A walk with my little Bichon Frisé around Saint Martins. No screens, just fresh air and a bit of headspace. That, or a quiet drink at home in our bar. It’s a great place to catch up with friends and switch off properly.

For more information about Ocorian, click here