Behind the Scenes at Dotfile: Meet Nans

Just a few weeks after Nans joined Dotfile, we sat down to chat about his journey as a compliance professional, the biggest challenges facing compliance teams today, how technology is changing the game, and what it really takes to foster a strong culture of compliance across an organization.

Beyond the technical side, we also explore personal insights—career milestones, lessons learned, and the importance of staying adaptable in a constantly evolving field. Let's get into it!

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Nans, can you share a bit about your career journey?

Nans: I began my career in law at a commercial law firm. Back then it was widely regarded as “doing it the right way”, you know, the essential foundation for proper legal training. After nearly two years in that role, I had the opportunity to transition into the payments industry.

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What drew you to the field of compliance?

Nans: I first brushed up against compliance during my time at a law firm, but I wasn’t really hands-on with it. That changed when I joined a payments company and took on the challenge of building their legal and compliance department from scratch. That’s when I really started diving into the field—and eventually, I decided to leave the legal side behind and focus fully on compliance for financial institutions.

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What do you enjoy most about working in compliance?

Nans: As a compliance professional, you’re a key part of the company, and what you do can have a big impact—both good and bad—depending on how well it’s handled. The role is super diverse; one minute, you’re reviewing a KYC submission, the next, you’re talking to a central bank director, helping a client with financial flows, or answering questions from colleagues. No two days are the same!

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What’s the most rewarding part of your role?

Nans: When a company is regulated—or working toward getting licensed—making sure everything runs smoothly, avoiding fines, and keeping the regulator happy is very satisfying.

If I can use a football analogy: when no one talks about the referee after a game, it usually means they did their job well. It’s the same with compliance—if the business is growing without any regulatory issues, fraud incidents, or breaches, that means we’ve done our job right. And that’s really satisfying.

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What do you see as the biggest challenge facing compliance professionals today?

Nans: There are plenty, but if I had to narrow it down to three big ones:

The first one would be the complexity of global regulatory requirements. You’ve got to stay on top of everything from AML to data privacy and cybersecurity. Without the right tools and structure, it’s nearly impossible to keep up, let alone scale effectively if you have footprints in multiple jurisdictions.

Another challenge is geopolitical shifts. Changes in global politics (i.e. sanctions) mean compliance teams always need to be alert and ready to adjust quickly.

The last one would be the evolving nature of fraud. Fraudsters are constantly getting smarter, so compliance teams have to stay a few steps ahead to keep systems protected.

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It seems that the available tech tools are making it a bit easier for you. Are there any specific emerging trends or technologies reshaping compliance that you’re excited about?

Nans: Absolutely—AI is already making a huge impact. It speeds up decision-making, helps compliance teams work faster and smarter, and reduces risk. At Dotfile, our AI-driven tool is one of the best out there, and we’re seeing firsthand how much it helps our clients every day. And honestly, this is just the beginning.

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Now, what’s one piece of tech you couldn’t live without in your role?

Nans: Honestly, it depends on the size of the company—but more importantly, the volume of business. Assuming the company is handling a high number of onboardings, I’d say an all-in-one compliance tool is essential. Something that automates onboarding, screening, profiling, enhanced due diligence, and perpetual KYC checks. With the right system in place, my team can be super efficient, and the company stays protected.

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You mentioned that the complexity of regulations poses a challenge for compliance professionals. How do you approach staying ahead of regulatory changes?

Nans: You need a solid system (online tool, local compliance officer in place to catch any regulatory updates early. But it doesn’t stop there—it’s just as important to understand how those changes affect your business and have a clear plan to adapt.

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Can you name one thing that was particularly challenging in your compliance role?

Nans: One of our long-standing challenges onboarding—we needed to keep our compliance standards high without making the process painful for customers. Initially, we were juggling multiple manual or in-house tools and spreadsheets, which left room for mistakes. The solution was investing in the right platform, which streamlined everything. Customers could onboard smoothly, and our compliance team was spending way less time managing the process.

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Is that why you decided to join Dotfile? You experienced the old-school onboarding, solved it, and decided you wanted to do it full-time.

Nans: Absolutely. I was seeing too many clients and partners struggling with the same compliance issues day after day. At some point, I wanted to help my peers by participating in building a solution for us all that is a game changer in how we approach compliance.

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What’s your recipe for fostering a culture of compliance within an organization?

Nans: It’s all about understanding the challenges that different teams face and making sure everyone understands why compliance matters. The key is to break down silos—work with other teams, explain and communicate why certain actions are necessary, and show results. When people see that compliance actually helps the business grow while staying on the right side of regulations, it becomes part of the company culture.

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What advice would you give to new compliance leaders entering the field?

Nans: First, really get to know your product—that’s the only way to understand the challenges your company is facing. Then, be strategic about where you put your energy. Invest in tools that genuinely help your team, and focus on solving the “must-have” issues before worrying about the “nice-to-haves.”

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What’s one skill or habit that has been crucial to your success as a compliance leader?

Nans: Understanding the business’s needs is key. Compliance is a support function—you’re there to help other teams succeed while keeping everything above board. Once you fully embrace that mindset, everything else falls into place.

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If you could change one thing about the current regulatory landscape, what would it be?

Nans: I’d push for better harmonization across jurisdictions. It would make life so much easier for global compliance teams and help businesses operate more efficiently across borders.

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Compliance might not always be in the spotlight, but as Nans explains, when it’s done right, it keeps everything running smoothly and helps businesses grow without unnecessary risks. From tackling regulatory challenges to leveraging technology for smarter processes, his approach is all about making compliance more efficient and impactful. As we continue to build and improve at Dotfile, having leaders like Nans ensures we’re not just keeping up with regulations—we’re shaping the future of compliance. Book a demo to see how we can help you.