Laura Guy
Operations Manager | Financial Services Operations Leadership
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About
Strategic and results-driven Operations Manager with 18+ years of experience leading operational, regulatory, adviser support, cash management, and client servicing functions within highly regulated financial services environments. Proven success delivering operational excellence, strengthening governance frameworks, driving large-scale change initiatives, and building high-performing teams of up to 26 colleagues. Recognised for improving service delivery, implementing effective risk and control frameworks, and translating business objectives into operational outcomes.
Experienced in stakeholder management, regulatory compliance, MI analysis, process optimisation, resource planning, and organisational transformation.
Experience
Operations Team Manager – Adviser Support at Quilter Financial Advisers (2025-01 – Present)
- Lead a team of 11 Adviser Support Consultants supporting approximately 30 Financial Advisers.
- Established and launched a dedicated New Business Support function from concept to operational delivery.
- Implemented operational controls and process improvements that enhanced efficiency, consistency and risk management.
- Analyse management information to drive performance and support strategic decision-making.
- Develop team capability through coaching, mentoring and succession planning.
Operations Team Manager – Controls & Cash Management at Quilter (2023-12 – 2025-01)
- Managed an operational control team of approximately 26 colleagues across hybrid and remote environments.
- Led delivery of regulatory reporting, controls and governance activities supporting FCA and HMRC requirements.
- Conducted control attestations, risk reviews and process improvement initiatives.
- Presented proposals and recommendations to senior governance forums and stakeholders.
Operations Team Manager – Investment Money Out & Cash Transfers at Quilter (2022-12 – 2023-12)
- Led high-volume payment and transfer operations with responsibility for SLA achievement, quality and compliance.
- Implemented operational controls and supported successful audit outcomes.
- Contributed to workflow and CRM migration programmes.
Operations Team Manager – Cash Management & Adviser Servicing at Quilter (2021-12 – 2022-12)
- Managed adviser servicing operations and stakeholder expectations.
- Introduced preventative and detective controls to strengthen operational risk management.
- Supported continuous improvement and team development initiatives.
Reconciliation & Cash Management Manager at Old Mutual Wealth (2017-11 – 2021-12)
- Led two operational teams with a combined headcount of approximately 20.
- Managed reconciliation and cash operations covering £600m cash and £30bn assets.
- Played a significant role in the migration to FNZ, one of Europe's largest platform migrations.
- Successfully led teams through major transformation and organisational change programmes.
Assistant Manager – Regular Payments & Investment Money Out Technical Control at Old Mutual Wealth (2013-07 – 2017-11)
- Managed and developed a team of 16 specialists.
- Led forecasting, capacity planning, audit actions, CASS controls and risk management activities.
Technical Specialist – Investment Money Out at Skandia (2010-09 – 2013-07)
- Provided technical leadership, quality assurance and operational expertise.
Customer Service Representative at Skandia (2007-11 – 2010-09)
- Delivered customer and adviser support within financial services operations.
Education
GCSEs – Chamberlayne Park Secondary School
