Contributing to a collaborative environment

At Saltgate, we pride ourselves on the close community of professionals we call our team.

Despite growing to three jurisdictions and a 200-strong workforce, that ‘small company’ feeling is still present, and brings out the best in our people.

We heard from Jean-Philippe Vuillemin, Compliance Director in Jersey, about his journey with Saltgate so far, what sets us apart, and his advice for those interested in a career in Funds or Compliance.

What’s your role and what are your responsibilities within Saltgate?

I lead the Compliance team in Jersey and am also registered with the Jersey Financial Services Commission as both Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Saltgate regulated companies.

To summarise, my role is to ensure that Saltgate Jersey complies with regulatory, legal, and internal rules, protecting Saltgate and its colleagues from legal or regulatory sanctions.

What is your professional background?

I studied law in France and came to Jersey for an internship in one of the first Compliance consultancy firms, which was owned by Carey Olsen. I was involved in the first collective investment funds case in Jersey brought to the court by the JFSC. This gave me the opportunity to work for Carey’s litigation department before starting my career in the fund industry at Mourant International Financial Administration (MIFA).

I subsequently worked for a couple of international leading Fund Administrators, such as Northern Trust and Link Asset Services (formerly part of Capital Plc) where I moved from Fund Administration to Compliance services for fund clients.

How did you get to Saltgate?

Simon Riley, Saltgate CEO, was my first manager at MIFA and we kept in contact over the years. I also worked with CCO Hannah Culshaw and Managing Director John Cosnett at MIFA, so it was an easy decision to join the Saltgate family when the right opportunity arose over five years ago.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to do your role?

Be curious and try to understand the bigger picture. Be detail-oriented and, of course, always act with integrity.

What are the best and most challenging parts of your role?

The best part is also the most challenging. Laws, rules, and regulations cover all the main aspects of our business and are ever-changing. You must remain up to date and have a good understanding of systems and controls implemented by various departments, and assess whether they are appropriate and effective.

The variety of requirements makes the role intellectually interesting, but it also requires managing multiple conflicting urgent priorities and keeping abreast of regulatory changes. Thankfully, I am supported by a fantastic team!

What do you do for fun?

Being father of two young boys (6 and 10 years old), I spend quite of bit of time with them which is fun, most of the time. Otherwise, I take any opportunity to spend time with friends doing water sport activities or just socialising - especially if Champagne is involved, my excuse being it is tradition, since I was born in the Champagne area!

What’s been the highlight of your week?

My personal highlight of the week was to finalise, not just one, but two long term projects! It is quite satisfactory knowing it will help colleagues in their day-to-day tasks and make Saltgate stronger.

What makes someone succeed at Saltgate?

Having a strong work ethic and being proactive.

What’s your favourite part of Saltgate culture?

What I like about Saltgate is that everyone is approachable, accountable, and can work hard together to mitigate or solve problems in a collaborative manner.