Stafford Capital cements legal function

Stafford Capital has appointed Victoria Sherliker as chief compliance officer, The Drawdown can exclusively reveal. Based in London, she will report to the firm’s general counsel, Jim Marsh.

Sherliker joins the firm after three years as a partner at Gunnercooke, where she focused on private equity and alternative asset management. Prior to her time at the law firm, she spent nine years as general counsel of MVision Private Equity Advisers.

“I am excited to be joining Stafford as chief compliance officer and to work with the team in navigating the regulatory and compliance environment across jurisdictions during what is certainly a phenomenal growth phase for the firm,” commented Sherliker. “I am also excited to be part of a firm which places sustainability at the centre of its investment philosophy. This is a rapidly evolving sector, and therefore presents great opportunities and challenges that I am very much looking forward to tackling.”

According to Stafford, a review of the firm’s needs relating to legal and compliance and adequate allocation of resources is a priority. In line with this, Sherliker’s first focus will be to review the existing compliance framework and introduce improvements and efficiencies where possible.

Marsh joined in February earlier this year. As head of Stafford’s legal and compliance function, he will report to the firm’s CEO, Angus Whiteley. Previously, he spent almost six years as group general counsel and company secretary at James Fisher and Sons. Earlier in his career he was group legal director at DS Smith and associate general counsel at Thomson Reuters.

On the appointments, Whiteley commented: “I am delighted to have Victoria and Jim join the team. Both have worked in regulated environments as general counsels in public and private markets. Jim joins with an impressive track record in senior legal positions at listed multinational groups, and Victoria brings extensive regulatory and compliance experience advising managers during key periods of business developments.

“Both are highly regarded amongst their peers and will be immensely valuable to Stafford in supporting our clients during an exciting phase of growth for us.”

The past few months have been notable for personnel developments at Stafford. Valentina Abbott joined as global head of client solutions in June, while the end of last year saw Sarah Ely come aboard as head of HR. The firm highlighted these additions as a continued commitment to strengthening its team.

In May, Stafford’s ESG director left the firm after three years to join Forbion as head of impact and ESG.