Julian Lamb, former Executive Director and Registrar at the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC), is one of the most experienced and forward-thinking leaders in the global registry community. Now running his own consultancy and a member of Foster Moore’s Advisory Board, Julian continues to influence registry modernisation through thought leadership, international collaboration, and hands-on consultancy.
With more than 40 years of experience spanning finance, compliance, and digital transformation, Julian helped establish Jersey’s registry as one of the most advanced and trusted in the world. His leadership extended beyond Jersey through key roles with the European Business Registry Association (EBRA), the International Association of Commercial Administrators (IACA), and the Corporate Registers Forum (CRF), where he championed integrity, transparency, and innovation.
In this exclusive Q&A, Julian reflects on the defining moments of his career, from navigating global crises to leading complex transformation programmes, and shares candid insights on the challenges and opportunities registries face today. His perspective is grounded in real-world experience and a commitment to building systems that are not only compliant, but connected, resilient, and future-ready.
Julian, your career spans over 40 years both private sector and public service, including international registry leadership, but, let’s start at the beginning. What did you study, and how did your early career take shape?
I studied chemical engineering at South Bank University in London. At the time, South Bank was well known for its engineering programmes and had strong links to industry. Interestingly, before that I had the top age 16 results for computer science in Jersey, but computing wasn’t really seen as a path back then, so I followed the engineering route. I loved the computing side of my studies though. I have a sort of photographic memory for process maps, which I think ended up being quite handy in my later work.
After university, it was difficult to find a job in chemical engineering, so I came back to Jersey and looked to the finance industry for opportunities. I eventually trained and qualified as an accountant, which was considered the top-tier financial qualification in Jersey at the time. I thought accountants would be heavily involved in computing, but that turned out to be optimistic, probably even now, the profession is still catching up in some areas.
I moved away from auditing quickly and took on finance director roles across banks and trust companies, including HSBC, Royal Bank of Canada, and a Luxembourg-based group called KBL. While I was with KBL, I led the transition of a managed bank into a standalone one, which was a complex and challenging, but rewarding project.
Julian Lamb speaking at CRF 2012 in India - Photo Credit CRF
How did that lead you into public service and eventually into the world of registries?
Around that time, the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) was being set up. It was a brand-new regulator, and they brought in a Director General from outside the island to lead it. He was headhunting people to build out his team, and someone must have passed on my name because I got a call out of the blue. When the opportunity came to join the regulator, I thought it would be a good experience, just a couple of years to get it on the CV.
But then we hit the registry. And that was it. From that moment, it was like a whirlwind, nearly 20 years of constant change, reform, and challenge. Always something new, and always a sense that we could improve things and deliver more value, not just to Jersey but internationally too. That is what kept me going.
During your time as Executive Director and Registrar at the JFSC, you led major changes in how the registry operated. What were some of the most memorable moments or challenges you encountered during that period?
Two moments really stand out from my time at the JFSC: the 2007–2008 financial crash and the COVID-19 pandemic. Both were incredibly disruptive in very different ways, but they defined some of the most testing and transformative periods for the registry. During the crash, with Enron and a web of special purpose vehicles collapsing, keeping a registry going amid that financial turbulence was a real challenge. Then came COVID, and while others scrambled to adapt, Jersey was one of the few jurisdictions that stayed fully operational, largely because I had already put in place the ability to incorporate companies from anywhere in the world, anticipating the need for flexibility.
On a personal level, I became seriously ill with COVID very early on, in February 2020, and if it had not been for my wife, who is a nurse, I would not be here. Despite the exhaustion of that period, we delivered results that mattered, not only did we maintain service, but we also pushed through digital transformation that strengthened Jersey’s international reputation, ultimately recognised with a Merit Award. It was intense, but looking back, I am proud of what we achieved.
Julian Lamb with his team after winning Leadership Award at the 2022 Digital Jersey Tech Awards - Photo Credit X.com
Working with regional and international bodies was central to your approach. What inspired that approach and how did those relationships help strengthen Jersey’s registry and regulatory systems as well as international image and reputation?
That came in large part from Colin Powell, who was a big influence in Jersey’s international engagement. He helped people like me see the value in building relationships, not just within Jersey but across the globe. Through that, we were able to have a voice in places we might not otherwise have been heard. Jersey is a small place, but we were able to punch well above our weight in the registry and regulatory space by being visible and proactive internationally.
You often worked closely with the government and across departments. How important was inter-agency collaboration to achieving the goals of a registry?
It is absolutely critical. When you are dealing with issues like AML/CFT, beneficial ownership, or preparing for international assessments, you cannot work in a silo. You have to collaborate with the government, law enforcement, and other agencies regularly. That coordination makes your responses stronger and your systems more robust, without a doubt.
Balancing strong regulatory compliance with ease of doing business is a challenge for many jurisdictions. What was your strategy for achieving that balance in Jersey?
In Jersey, we moved away from being just a repository much earlier than most jurisdictions, shifting towards a more risk-based approach that prioritised transparency and accountability. We made sure that we were proportionate in our response, ensuring high standards while also being user-friendly and supportive of business.
We introduced more detailed application forms early on while still incorporating quickly. Balancing compliance with ease of doing business meant designing intuitive systems that avoided repeat questions and supported users through more demanding requirements. It has always been about collecting the right information upfront to make informed, risk-based decisions, without making the process harder than it needs to be.
Jersey has a unique place in the global financial and regulatory ecosystem. What misconceptions do people have about jurisdictions like Jersey, and how have you addressed them over the years?
There is still a tendency in some places to dismiss jurisdictions like Jersey as secrecy jurisdictions or tax havens, which is outdated and unfair. Part of our work was to push back on those narratives with evidence, showing that we met and often exceeded international standards, that we had strong laws and effective enforcement, and that we were willing to be transparent. That was a big part of the reason we got involved so actively on the international stage.
Julian Lamb speaking at panel at CRF 2014 in Brazil - Photo Credit CRF
FATF and MONEYVAL assessments are high-stakes for any jurisdiction. From your experience, what are the most critical steps in preparing successfully and staying ahead of evolving expectations?
Preparation is everything. You need to be brutally honest about where your gaps are and willing to fix them. It is not just about having rules on paper, it is about being able to demonstrate that they work in practice. That requires coordination, political support, technical capacity, and a deep understanding of what assessors are looking for. And crucially, it has to be an ongoing effort, not just something you do every few years.
How do you see the role of modern registry systems in shaping more effective and responsive legislation?
Modern registry systems have a huge role to play in making legislation more effective and responsive. You cannot just write a clever law and expect it to work unless you can deliver it properly through the systems that support it. The days of policy being written in isolation from operations are long gone. If you want the law to actually function in the real world, you need the people building and running the systems to be at the table from the beginning.
In a good setup, legislation and technology are developed together, as part of the same team. That way, what gets written into law can be operationalized effectively, and the registry becomes part of the solution rather than an afterthought. Technology also gives us better data and insights now, which can feed back into policymaking and help jurisdictions respond to risks more quickly.
You are the only person to have held leadership roles in IACA, CRF, and EBRA, and simultaneously, a truly unique achievement. How have these networks shaped international registry practices, and what impact have they had on collaboration and knowledge sharing across jurisdictions?
Holding those roles was never just about the title. That mindset helped Jersey punch way above its weight for over two decades. Being on the boards of these organisations gave us access, not just exposure, but real collaboration and knowledge. It gave us access to best practice from places like Singapore, New Zealand, and Sweden, and even insights from unexpected places like a Czech helicopter factory, where the precision of their processes inspired how we structured our own operations. That combination of engagement, access, and follow-through helped raise Jersey’s profile and brought back incredible value to the registry.
Julian Lamb presenting at CRF 2022 in Maldives - Photo Credit CRF
You recently launched your consultancy, Grosnez Associates. The name is distinctive, what inspired it?
The name comes from Grosnez Castle, a historic landmark on the northwest coast of Jersey, a place I have always loved, with dramatic views and a sense of timelessness. Built around 1330 during the Hundred Years War, the castle has stood for centuries as a symbol of resilience and foresight. Positioned on a clifftop and protected on three sides by nature, it served both defensive and strategic roles, from resisting French occupation to acting as a naval signal station in the 19th century.
For me, Grosnez represents solid foundations with a clear view of the future, exactly the qualities I want the consultancy to embody. Like the castle, Grosnez Associates is about looking outward, making connections, and navigating change with strength and purpose.
Through Grosnez Associates, what kind of support are you offering to the registry and compliance world?
I am helping governments and organisations think through their registry and compliance challenges, everything from strategy and governance to preparing for international assessments or navigating legislative change. I offer hands-on expertise as someone who has actually run a registry and worked across policy, supervision, and compliance.
There are plenty of policy experts out there, but writing good policy is not the same as delivering it through real-world operations. What I bring is practitioner insight. How to implement regulatory frameworks effectively, how to align registry operations with AML/CFT/CPF obligations, and how to prepare jurisdictions for FATF and MONEYVAL assessments.
I am also advising private sector organisations, including FinTecs looking to modernise their processes and make better use of corporate data
You have led complex transformation programmes at the intersection of policy and technology. In your view, what are the key ingredients registries need in place to make large-scale change a success?
Making big changes in the registry space takes five key elements. First, the pace of legislative change means registries need to be more agile than ever. Second, strong IT infrastructure is essential to ensure data security and integrity, both critical for compliance and trust. Third, registries must embrace their new role as active players in AML/CFT, not just passive record-keepers. Fourth, interoperability is no longer optional, registries need to share data across borders and platforms to stay relevant. And fifth, sustainability must be built into the design, not added as an afterthought. When these elements come together, change is not only possible, it delivers real impact.
Ricco Dun (GLEIF), Julian Lamb, and John Murray at CRF 2024 in Qatar - Photo Credit CRF
Looking ahead, what innovations or technologies do you think have the greatest potential to advance registry operations, transparency, and trust?
Looking ahead, the biggest game-changer will be how we use data, not just how we move it. I’m excited about MetaReg, it will be key to unlocking interoperability, getting the right data to the right people, securely and efficiently. But the real potential lies in how we analyse that data.
AI and advanced algorithms can spot patterns and typologies that would otherwise go unnoticed, helping registries and regulators detect financial crime and improve decision-making. I’m helping a customer build a tool that goes beyond static systems into dynamic, multi-dimensional analysis. That is the future, smarter systems that protect trust, improve transparency, and make life harder for the bad actors.
Outside of your work in the registry and compliance space, how do you like to spend your time? Any favourite pastimes or places that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I am focused on keeping fit and enjoying life while I can. Over the past year I have taken up pilates, yoga, and swimming, which has been great for both body and mind. I also spend a fair bit of time gardening, even building greenhouses, and whenever possible, I travel. That has become the big goal for the next decade: see as much of the world as we can before we no longer can.
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Julian’s career is a testament to the power of practical expertise, international collaboration, and future-focused thinking. Whether navigating financial chaos, driving global registry standards, or building tools that inspire the next generation of RegTech, his work has consistently pushed the boundaries of what registries can achieve.
Through Grosnez Associates, Julian now helps governments and organisations continue to shape the future of compliance, governance, and digital transformation.