Getting to know Rebecca Carter, Operations Director
At PKF Channel Islands, we are proud to support International Women’s Day and recognise the people who help shape our business every day. To mark the occasion, we caught up with Rebecca Carter, Operations Director, to learn more about her role, her career journey and the impact she has across the firm.
With more than 20 years’ experience across finance, operations and compliance, Rebecca plays an important role in strengthening the processes, governance and culture that support our teams and clients. In this conversation, she shares the moments that shaped her career, what good operational leadership looks like, and why creating opportunities for the next generation of women matters to her.
You have 20 years’ experience across finance, operations and compliance. Looking back, what moments shaped your career the most?
My career shaping moments so far, have undoubtedly been the times at which I stepped outside my comfort zone. In my earlier career, I worked across client accounting, tax planning, trust and compliance, so I gained a broad understanding of how firms like ours work. It was after being invited into an operations role to build on and maximise the benefit of this experience, that I realised I had found my place. Taking on significant governance responsibilities, such as MLRO and DPO, has also ignited a genuine love for my work and I look back on stepping into those roles as a pivotal point in my professional journey so far.
Those decisions have reinforced for me that careers rarely follow a straight line. Being open to learning and taking on new challenges has been key to my development and is the reason I have a job I thoroughly enjoy today.
As Operations Director, what does your role really involve day to day?
Operations is often described as keeping the engine running, but it’s my colleagues that do that. For me, operations is really about making sure the engine runs as effectively and sustainably as possible. Most of my work happens behind the scenes, refining processes, policies, systems and ensuring we meet regulatory obligations. When an operations department is working well, everyone else in the business is able to focus on delivering their best work for our clients.
You also act as MLRO and DPO. What do you enjoy most about governance and compliance?
I enjoy the responsibility that comes with helping the organisation operate with integrity and I know that the work I do makes a real difference to the professional lives of my colleagues and our clients. Strong governance frameworks allow businesses to grow confidently while managing risk appropriately. As MLRO and DPO, my role is to ensure we protect the firm, protect our clients and protect our people while supporting the business and its staff to do what we all do best.
What does good operational leadership look like to you?
Good operational leadership is about creating clarity, consistency and trust. It’s about building processes and an environment that support people in doing their jobs well, while also anticipating challenges and continuously improving how things work.
You’re known for improving processes. How do you approach change?
In my opinion, change that works starts with listening and is underpinned by solid communication. The people closest to a process almost always understand it best, so I’ve found that involving them early leads to better solutions. A mutually agreed and understood change is usually well received.
What are you most proud of achieving at PKF Channel Islands so far?
I’m very proud of the security and stability I have brought in my role as MLRO and of the operational and governance improvements that have strengthened the firm’s foundations as it continues to grow. Just as importantly, I’m proud to contribute to a culture where people feel supported and able to develop their careers. Looking after our people is very important to me and is something I strive to do well.
How has being a parent influenced your leadership style?
Being a parent has definitely brought home the importance of empathy and perspective. People have responsibilities outside of work, and recognising that helps create a more supportive and balanced working environment. It’s a very simple summary, but I am often heard saying, ‘happy people do good jobs’.
Being a parent has also made me very conscious of leading by example. It’s been very important to me to show my own daughter that a woman can take on whatever she chooses in the modern world, and can have professional success and provide a loving, nurturing home at the same time.
How important is flexible working to you?
It’s incredibly important. Flexible working allows people to balance professional and personal responsibilities while continuing to build meaningful careers. For many women in particular, that flexibility can make a real difference in sustaining long-term career progression.
Of course, the support of a great company is essential, and I have been really fortunate to enjoy over a decade with PKF Channel Islands so far. Having leaders who value family life and work life balance throughout has been the reason I have never missed a sports day, a school event, or even just a day at home when I’ve been needed. My daughter has benefited from the core principles underpinning our company ethos, and so have I. It’s something that you should see in all offices and I hope one day we will.
What advice would you give to someone interested in a career in operations, governance or compliance?
Stay curious and develop a broad understanding of how organisations work. These roles sit at the intersection of many areas including finance, technology, risk and people. If you enjoy problem solving and improving how things work day to day, it can be a very rewarding career path.
On International Women’s Day, what does professional success mean to you now?
Earlier in my career, success was about progression and reaching the next milestone. Today, it’s more about impact, supporting others, contributing to a positive culture, and helping create opportunities for the next generation of women. Success is not just about individual achievement, but about the difference you make along the way.