About Widbrook
Widbrook Consulting is a boutique risk management, governance and compliance advisory firm based in South Africa, serving organisations across South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Founded on more than 20 years of senior-level professional experience gained in both South Africa and the United Kingdom, Widbrook brings a depth of expertise developed across different regulatory environments, working within frameworks established and overseen by multiple regulatory authorities.
We work with businesses and leadership teams to strengthen risk management frameworks, enhance governance arrangements and address applicable regulatory compliance obligations.
Our approach combines extensive professional experience, a broad regulatory perspective and the personal attention and accountability of a boutique advisory practice.
Our Founder and Principal
Claire Coustas
Founder and Principal, Widbrook Consulting
Claire Coustas is an accomplished risk management, governance and compliance professional with more than 20 years of experience in senior leadership roles across the financial services sectors in South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Throughout her career, Claire has held senior positions including Head of Risk and Compliance, Head of Group Risk and Head of Risk, working closely with executive leadership teams, boards and regulatory authorities.
Her experience includes designing, implementing and enhancing risk management frameworks across four financial institutions, strengthening risk governance arrangements, developing risk appetite frameworks and embedding effective risk management practices into business operations and strategic decision-making.
Having worked across different regulatory environments, Claire brings extensive experience of regulatory engagement, including with the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Bank of England, as well as the South African Reserve Bank (SARB).
She has deputised for Chief Risk Officers, chaired executive risk governance committees, presented to Board Risk Committees and led enterprise-wide risk transformation initiatives. Her experience also encompasses financial crime risk management, including leadership of a 20-person Enhanced Due Diligence team at Nedbank.
Claire founded Widbrook Consulting to provide organisations with direct access to experienced, independent risk, governance and compliance advice. Her approach combines strategic insight with practical implementation, helping leadership teams make informed decisions and establish proportionate, effective risk management arrangements.
When you engage Widbrook, Claire personally leads your engagement from the initial consultation through to final delivery.
Postgraduate Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance, International Compliance Association (ICA)
Bachelor of Commerce in Law, University of South Africa
Certificate in Internal Auditing, University of Pretoria
Certified GDPR Practitioner
An Independent Advisory Practice
Established in 2026, Widbrook Consulting brings together more than 20 years of senior-level risk management, governance and compliance experience gained across South Africa and the United Kingdom.
As an independent boutique consultancy, Widbrook offers a personalised alternative to larger advisory firms, combining strategic insight with practical, hands-on expertise.
Our focus is on building trusted client relationships, understanding each organisation’s circumstances and delivering advice that is proportionate, commercially considered and capable of being implemented.
We believe effective advisory work should provide clarity, strengthen decision-making and leave organisations better equipped to manage their risks and responsibilities.
How We Work
Our approach is grounded in independence, professional judgement and practical delivery. We work closely with clients to understand their organisations, provide clear advice and develop solutions that support effective risk management and governance.
Independent, Objective Advice
We provide candid, evidence-based assessments and recommendations. Our professional judgement is guided by the facts, the risks and our clients’ best interests.
Pragmatic, Proportionate Solutions
We take a pragmatic approach to risk management, governance and compliance. Our recommendations are tailored to each organisation’s size, complexity, regulatory obligations and commercial realities, balancing effective risk management with the practical demands of running a business.
Clear Communication
We communicate findings, risks and recommendations clearly, without unnecessary complexity. Clients understand what matters, why it matters and what actions should be considered.
Collaborative Engagement
We work alongside leadership teams and employees, drawing on their knowledge and experience to develop solutions that are relevant, achievable and sustainable.
Accountability from Start to Finish
Every engagement has a clearly agreed scope, deliverables and responsibilities. Clients benefit from direct senior-level involvement throughout the engagement.
If your arrangements are sound, we will tell you so.
What You Can Expect When Engaging Widbrook
We believe clients should have clarity about how an engagement will be managed, how their information will be treated and what they can expect from our advice.
Who will lead my engagement?
Every engagement is personally led by Widbrook’s founder, Claire Coustas, providing direct access to senior-level expertise and continuity throughout the assignment.
How do you maintain independence and objectivity?
We provide evidence-based assessments and recommendations, supported by professional judgement. Potential conflicts of interest are considered before accepting an engagement and addressed appropriately.
Where our work identifies areas for improvement, clients are under no obligation to appoint Widbrook to undertake the recommended remedial work.
How will my confidential information be protected?
We treat client information with care and confidentiality. Information handling, access arrangements and applicable confidentiality obligations are addressed as part of our engagement process.
What happens before an engagement begins?
We begin with a complimentary 30-minute consultation to understand your requirements and establish whether Widbrook can assist.
Where appropriate, we provide a tailored proposal setting out the proposed scope, deliverables, timetable and fees before any work commences.
Start a Conversation
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your risk management arrangements, enhance governance or address regulatory compliance requirements, we’d welcome the opportunity to discuss your needs.
Book a complimentary 30-minute consultation with Claire to explore your requirements, ask questions and establish whether Widbrook is the right fit for your organisation.
All enquiries are handled personally and confidentially.