Get to know Group CEO, Sophie Spells

Bringing extensive knowledge of RCK and its vision from her two years as General Counsel and Head of Legal, Data and Compliance, as Group CEO at RCK, Sophie Spells will oversee the firm’s global operations.

Having led much of RCK’s internal legal, governance, risk, and compliance functions throughout the company’s growth, Sophie brings institutional knowledge and deep commitment to RCK’s strategic ambitions. Her appointment marks an evolution in the firm’s leadership structure, expansion of cross-border operations, stronger alignment across markets, and more capacity to innovate in technology and new service areas. 

We caught up with Sophie to discuss her professional career, personal life and the driving reasons behind becoming RCK’s Group CEO.

Tell us about your previous experience to date 

“I started my career in crime and extradition work; I’m dual-qualified as both a solicitor and a barrister and later moved into asset finance, focusing on aviation, shipping and finance. That role gave me the opportunity to work internationally, in Tokyo, Paris, and London, which was a formative experience. 

After several years in private practice, I made the decision to move in-house, working across legal, data, and compliance, as I wanted to increase the commercial aspect of my role. In-house legal work allows you to see things through a much more commercial lens, rather than a legal academic one. Whilst I’ve always loved law, I’ve equally loved understanding businesses, solving problems and I enjoy the fast-paced nature and buzz of a new role, the exposure to different parts of a company, and the need to adapt my communication style depending on who I’m speaking with. 

In my current role, I love the breadth of responsibility, and I’m involved in all areas of the business. My legal background gives me a strong foundation in governance, risk, and compliance, but I also enjoy getting stuck into branding, strategy, and people leadership. I find I’m able to anticipate problems before they arise, due to my previous background, which is a skill that’s been invaluable in a Group CEO role. Since taking on broader responsibilities, I’ve been more involved across teams, and that’s something I truly enjoy.” 

What is the most important leadership lesson you have learned in your career to date?   

“One of the most important leadership lessons I’ve learned came from a coaching course I took, which was designed for executive leaders. It was led by someone who had previously been in Private Equity and had transitioned into executive coaching. A key takeaway from that experience was learning about the three levels of listening. 

The first is internal listening, where someone is speaking but your mind immediately starts relating it to your own experiences, you listen, but it becomes about you. Then there’s listening to understand, which is a much more focused and intentional way of listening. Here, you're not distracted by your own thoughts or feelings; you're listening solely for the benefit of the other person. Finally, there’s global listening, which involves sensing the emotions, energy, and signals, both spoken and unspoken. 

What stayed with me is the importance of moving between levels two and three and trying hard to not form opinions based solely on your own biases or experiences but instead staying grounded in the information that you're being presented with.”   

What qualities and values do you look for in RCK employees?   

“At this company, our core values include being client-centric, ambitious, and going above and beyond. These are qualities I admire in our employees and is something I observe daily. Many of the individuals I work with go far beyond what's expected of them in their day-to-day roles, with willingness to step up without being asked. 

Equally important is helping to create an environment that people genuinely want to be part of. I value team members who help foster that sense of fun and positivity, as it makes such a difference in building a culture that people love to work in. 

Tell us what you are passionate about?    

“I’m particularly passionate about supporting parents in business, particularly those who are returning to work, juggling careers, and raising young children. There’s a shared reality among many of us: cooking dinner while holding a baby in one arm and trying to join a Teams meeting with the other. It’s the daily chaos that so many working parents know all too well. 

Parent guilt adds another layer to that complexity. Have you ever found yourself feeling guilty because a great work idea pops into your head just as you’re reading a bedtime story to your child? It’s that constant tug between being present at home and the mental responsibilities of work. Today we have never done more, leaving meetings early to catch trains, only for the train to be delayed and bedtime to be missed. Then there's no credit for it, at home or at work.

It’s not just about showing up to work. It’s the mental checklist that endlessly runs including arranging a child’s birthday party, making sure your son has his guitar for his lessons after school, swimming kit, and tennis racquet, on top of your career. One thing I’d like to achieve more of is putting the phone away. We’re always switched on, but I question if that really makes us more productive, and I’ve found real joy in the quiet moments, like watching my child play tennis; these are moments where I make a conscious decision to put the phone down and be fully present. On weekends, I try to make a real effort to disconnect and just be with my kids."

‍