Femi Richards
Head of Compliance Operations & Programmes
Washington D.C., United States
One of the distinct advantages of being part of a global enterprise is that there are so many opportunities to contribute to the richness of the corporate environment that extend beyond the four corners of one’s job description. I have had the honour and privilege to lead the Washington, D.C. chapter of the African Ancestry Network. This is a vital Employee Resource Group focused on creating and fostering an environment for employees to be included, challenged and supported in developing and maximising their potential and value to RELX.
I joined RELX in 2008 through the ChoicePoint acquisition after nearly five years at the law firm Holland & Knight LLP, where I focused on corporate diversity counselling, education policy and government relations.
During my first nine years at RELX, I led an audit and compliance team responsible for implementing and monitoring the company’s compliance with customer contractual and regulatory legal obligations - work that was both engaging and impactful.
In the spring of 2017, I was asked to build a new functional team to address a broader set of compliance challenges across RELX. Initially hesitant, although I had developed significant expertise, institutional credibility and tenure in my role, I quickly jettisoned any lingering doubts and embraced the growth opportunity that had been presented. As Vice President within RELX’s Global Compliance Department, I had responsibility for developing the testing, monitoring and risk assessment infrastructure to ensure the operating effectiveness of our world-class compliance programme. Moving into this dynamic new role helped me develop additional legal, policy, problem-solving and management skills.
Today, as Head of Compliance Operations & Programmes, I oversee the design and execution of RELX Compliance Programme processes and initiatives. Our team’s work helps the company uphold its 'Do the Right Thing' culture of integrity, and consistently meet regulatory requirements. I also lead strategic efforts to optimize processes, enhance operational efficiency and collaborate across functions to effectively mitigate risk.
Beyond my primary responsibilities, I continue to support initiatives that enrich our corporate culture. I have been recognized as one of Savoy Magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America,” and I serve as a Cares Champion, promoting employee volunteering and community engagement. In 2015, I received the RELX Recognising Those Who Care Award for my contributions. Of particular interest to me is mentoring others and helping to advance the careers of those on my team, as well as people inside and outside of RELX.
Throughout my career, I have worked with several distinguished organizations, but RELX is special because its employees demonstrate core values and leadership maintains a strong commitment to employee development. This contributes to the deep sense of loyalty and connection many of us feel. It truly is a remarkable place to work.
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YS Chi speaks with Femi Richards, about race, racism and social justice in this podcast. Femi has a courageous conversation about his personal and family experience of racism and what it means to be Black in America today. As the co-founder and ex-president of the DC Chapter of the African Ancestry Network at RELX, he shares his thoughts on the efforts that are required to reaffirm the inherent values of Black lives and all lives. He calls for everyone to join the conversation. |