Brian Connell-Tombs, a former investigator for the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI), on Thursday announced the launch of a consulting firm to help securities firms cope with the ever-changing regulatory environment.

Based in Ontario, CT Compliance Consulting taps into Connell-Tombs’ 20-plus years of experience with Canada’s regulatory agencies and industry oversight groups.

The firm focuses on developing and executing risk management strategies to support clients. These services include providing training to staff on changes to their Know Your Client and Know Your Product obligations, identifying emerging issues, as well as assisting in resolving client complaints.

“These are interesting and challenging times for securities firms, and as firms continue to offer new and more complex investments, having a risk management strategy in place has never been more important,” Connell-Tombs says in a statement.

Prior to starting his consulting firm, Connell-Tombs led a team of investigators at OBSI. Before that, he worked as a senior investigator for the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. He also served as a forensic accountant for the Ontario Securities Commission.

He started his career in accounting working with the Canada Revenue Agency and later with PricewaterhouseCoppers and Ernst and Young, where he led a number of forensic investigations, including many on behalf of clients in the securities industry.

Connell-Tombs is a chartered professional accountant, a chartered management accountant, and holds a certified forensic investigator designation, a certificate in investment dealer compliance and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto.