The Bermuda office of international law firm Appleby has expanded its compliance services offering and has gained a Member of Parliament in the process.

The firm, which said its regulatory practice is the only one in Bermuda ranked in Tier 1 by Legal 500 in the regulatory and compliance category, recently hired Jarion Richardson as a specialist compliance advisor.

Appleby said it is now offering compliance officer and money laundering reporting officer services through its fiduciary and administration provider, Appleby Global Services.

The firm said it has also expanded its training offering, devising and implementing training programmes for its clients that cover the AML/ATF and sanctions regime, data privacy and anti-bribery and corruption. It has extended its compliance offering to include conducting AML/ATF and sanction programme audits.

The firm said Mr Richardson specialises in designing and implementing compliance frameworks for complex regulated businesses and his experience leading on-site examination teams for the Bermuda Monetary Authority, as well as serving as the lead developer and instructor of the BMA’s specialist courses in AML, makes his technical expertise and understanding of the legislative framework unparalleled in Bermuda.

Appleby said Mr Richardson, an MP for the Opposition One Bermuda Alliance, is also an experienced and highly qualified compliance officer and money laundering reporting officer.

He previously ran his own compliance and regulatory consulting firm specialising in financial crime prevention including AML, the firm said.

Sally Penrose, partner and head of Bermuda’s regulatory practice said: “We are extremely fortunate to have Jarion join our team. His tremendous technical knowledge and deep understanding of the regulator’s requirements will ensure that Appleby continues to offer best in class advice on the regulatory issues facing Bermuda businesses.”

Tim Faries, Appleby’s managing partner in Bermuda and AGS’ chief executive officer globally said: “Appleby has a team of expert advisors across a range of disciplines allowing us to offer a one-stop shop on the whole spectrum of compliance issues from the routine and non-contentious, right through to complex, contentious matters and enforcement proceedings.

“We are delighted to welcome Jarion to Appleby and to expand on our regulatory and compliance services.”