Avantia Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Jo Ainsworth into the role of Chief Risk and Compliance Officer. Jo’s new role will be pivotal in ensuring our compliance strategies are as strong as our innovations.
Mark Eastham, CEO of Avantia Group, spoke about the importance of this strategic hire:
“We have big goals as a business with an ambition to become a top 10 UK home insurance provider and the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer role is a decisive step in our strategy for sustainable expansion.”
Jo Ainsworth will report directly to Chief Financial Officer, Tim Clancy, and collaborate closely with the Board and investors.
Jo joins with over 25 years’ experience at leading financial services organisations including Admiral, HSBC, M&S Bank, and Money supermarket, and will focus on evolving Avantia Group’s enterprise-wide risk management framework.
Mark Eastham added, “Jo’s extensive experience in risk and compliance will be invaluable as we progress on our growth and innovation journey. Her appointment comes at an exciting time for Avantia, reinforcing a commitment to governance that matches our cutting-edge technology.”
Jo Ainsworth commented: ”I’m thrilled to be joining Avantia Group and to be part of such an innovative and forward-thinking team. From my first conversations, it was clear that this is an ambitious and fast-moving company that’s full of passionate people doing great things, and I feel privileged to be part of their growth journey. I’m looking forward to building a risk and compliance function that enables ongoing innovation and growth, whilst putting customers at the heart of every conversation.”
We interviewed Jo about her career path and her journey to becoming a part of the Avantia Group team…
What has your career path looked like up until joining Homeprotect?
I started my career in Financial Services straight out of university working as a Financial Planning Manager with HSBC & Britannia Building Society. I loved it! Being able to serve customers to help them buy their first home, plan for their future or support them through tough times. I felt very privileged. Quite soon after, I moved into Compliance having had the experience of working directly with customers and understanding some of the challenges faced by regulated firms to do right by customers but also meet the abundance of regulatory requirements! Since then, my career has been deeply rooted in regulatory compliance, risk, and controls within financial services. I’ve progressed from roles in advisory and monitoring to senior leadership positions across major institutions including HSBC, Marks & Spencer Bank, and Admiral Group. Over the years, I’ve led global and regional teams, held regulated roles in the UK and Jersey, and been responsible for shaping governance structures and compliance strategies. My focus has always been on customer and delivering pragmatic risk-based advice while fostering high-performing, inclusive teams that drive sustainable business outcomes.
Tell us about a topic/trend that interests you, or you think will influence the future of the insurance industry?
One trend I believe will significantly shape the future of insurance is the integration of AI and data-driven decision-making into risk and compliance frameworks. With regulatory expectations around fairness, transparency, and customer outcomes increasing – especially under regimes like the Consumer Duty – firms will need to evolve their governance and control environments. Using data intelligently to anticipate risks and enhance customer protection, while remaining compliant, will be a key differentiator for forward-thinking insurers.
What interests you most about Risk and Compliance?
I’m drawn to risk & compliance because it sits at the intersection of doing what’s right for the customers and for the business. It offers the opportunity to influence decisions, challenge the status quo, and foster a culture of accountability and transparency. I particularly enjoy building teams and frameworks that not only protect the firm but also enable it to grow responsibly. Seeing compliance as a business enabler, rather than a blocker, is something I advocate strongly.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
I’m excited about joining a growing and innovative company where I can help shape the future of their risk and compliance culture. I thrive in environments that are forward-thinking, where curiosity and challenge are welcomed. I’m looking forward to working alongside creative minds to embed scalable governance, bring a fresh perspective, and contribute towards sustainable growth in a way that aligns with both regulation and innovation.