In this video, Benjamin White, Founder of Crafty Counsel, speaks with Omar Salem, Financial Services Partner at Fox Williams, about how in-house lawyers in fintechs can approach compliance as a strategic enabler of growth, rather than a constraint on it.
Drawing on his experience as a General Counsel in a fast-growing fintech, Omar unpacks how smart compliance processes can support sharper decision-making, boost collaboration across functions, and ultimately help scale-ups prepare for investment or sale. For in-house legal teams under pressure to “just get things done,” it’s a reminder that well-designed compliance is a strategic advantage.
Good compliance drives good decisions
Omar explains that well-structured board and risk committee meetings are not simply a regulatory exercise, but a mechanism for improving the quality of business decision-making. By ensuring consistent information and shared context across teams, potential product, commercial, and operational issues can be identified early.
Cross-functional by design
Effective compliance cannot be achieved in isolation. Omar underscores the need for close collaboration between legal and key functions such as technology and finance to ensure compliance is integrated, practical, and aligned with the organisation’s broader objectives.
Process isn’t sexy, but it matters
One of the key themes is the importance of process. Often overlooked, robust processes sit at the heart of effective compliance. Omar outlines how well-designed product development processes can help identify risk earlier, avoid unnecessary spend, and support more efficient scaling. Even checklists have a role to play.
A timely discussion for in-house counsel in growth-focused fintechs, balancing regulatory obligations with business ambition. Omar offers pragmatic guidance on what effective compliance looks like in practice.
Crafty Counsel is the UK’s most dynamic and fast-growing legal community. With members across the globe, the community brings in-house lawyers together to share experiences, learn from peers, and build meaningful connections. Join for free to access the Community Hub App.
Fox Williams is a law firm with a strong focus on supporting growth businesses across financial services, technology, fintech, and payments. To find out more, visit Fox Williams.