Debbie Ward and Richard Manktelow join Avyse Partners

Avyse Partners has announced two appointments in its London office. Debbie Ward arrives as a senior advisor, while Richard Manktelow joins as a consultant.

Founded in 2021, Avyse Partners is a purpose-led regulatory consultancy, specialising in financial crime prevention, conduct, compliance and ESG. Based in London, the advisory firm’s team of more than 20 professionals supports clients across the UK, from a diverse range of regulated sectors.

Debbie Ward further advances the experience across Avyse’s team, as she arrives as a senior advisor to work with the management team, and help accelerate the firm’s growth journey. A former EY partner, having spent 35 years in the financial crime advisory wing of the Big Four firm, Ward will now support the development of Avyse’s market footprint.

Avyse Partner Richard Wegrzyn, who worked for Ward from 2011 to 2016, said, “This is such a fantastic opportunity to help our team learn and grow. I have always admired Debbie’s calm approach to even the toughest challenges, and when it comes to growing people and consulting practices there is no one better. Our first three years have passed by so quickly, it can be difficult to step back and appreciate how far you’ve come, what you’ve learned and how things have evolved.”

Wegrzyn also cited the news as further proof that “although it can still feel like it at times, we’re not a start-up anymore”. Ward’s arrival “reinforces this both internally and to the market”, and looking ahead, she will use her passion for coaching and developing talent to support the growth of all of the firm’s practices and senior management team.

Ward added, “I am delighted to be joining the Avyse team at this pivotal point in their development.  They have gone from strength to strength in the last three years and I'm excited to be part of their continuing growth. They have a very strong purpose and set of values that are close to my heart and, more importantly, are demonstrated every day in the behaviours of the high quality, collegiate team and in guiding the business decisions. I look forward to sharing my experiences of building teams and delivering to clients to accelerate the Avyse’s Partners business.”

Richard Manktelow has also joined Avyse as a consultant. He brings a background in payments having worked for the FCA, spending his most recent years working in the payments supervision department.

Maktelow developed valuable knowledge of the FCA’s approach to supervision and the payment sector during that time, and has worked closely with firms throughout their regulatory lifecycles, from newly authorised, fast growing, to firms exiting the sector.

Speaking on his work with Avyse, Manktelow added, “I’m thrilled to be joining Avyse as their values truly resonate with me and shone through from the very first conversation. I’m particularly drawn to Avyse’s purpose of building long lasting client relationships. It’s exciting to work in a purpose-led business driving positive change in the financial industry. I look forward to working collaboratively with clients, helping across a variety of sectors, and applying my payment expertise to make a safer environment for all.”