Building a trade surveillance team: roles, skills, and training

The strength of your surveillance team matters as much as the tools you use. In this article, we explore the essential roles, skills, and training that turn a compliance function into a true first line of defence.

Why your surveillance team is your first line of defence

The speed of manipulation has outpaced the companies' speed to detect it without the right surveillance teams. 

Technology like AI and machine learning can transform detection capabilities, but without the right people to interpret alerts, calibrate models, and respond to incidents, even the best tools fall short.

A strong surveillance team does more than meet compliance standards. It helps prevent reputational damage, maintains market fairness, and gives clients confidence that your company is operating with integrity.

The core roles in a surveillance function

Every effective trade surveillance function has clearly defined responsibilities, avoiding both skill gaps and duplicated effort. Typical core roles include:

• Surveillance analysts – Review alerts, investigate suspicious patterns, escalate confirmed cases.
• Data scientists/Quant analysts – Optimise detection models, design alert logic, and validate AI outputs.
• Compliance officers – Interpret local and global regulatory frameworks, including MAR, MiFID II, and MiCA, and ensure procedures are aligned within the business.
• System administrators – Maintain platform performance, manage integrations, and oversee data quality.
• Team leaders/Managers – Coordinate across compliance, legal, and trading desks; report to senior management and regulators.

Key skills that drive results

In our experience within anti-money laundering (AML) and market and trade surveillance, the most effective teams blend four key skill categories:

1. Regulatory expertise

• In-depth knowledge of regulations, such as MAR (Market Abuse Regulation), UK MAR, and MiFID II rules.
• Familiarity with emerging regimes like MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) for crypto surveillance.

2. Technical skills

• Proficiency in surveillance platforms and data analysis tools.
• Ability to configure alerts, integrate new data sources, and understand AI/ML model outputs.

3. Analytical thinking

• Pattern recognition across multi-venue and cross-asset data.
• Statistical reasoning to separate noise from genuine risk.

4. Soft skills

• Clear communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaboration with compliance, IT, and trading teams to close investigations quickly.

As Gabriella Bussien, CEO at Trapets, notes:

"Companies should invest in experts with the right skills to leverage technology to its fullest potential. Technology and know-how go hand in hand, but that requires time, resources, and commitment."

Training should be continuous, practical, and aligned with real market conditions. Our AML topic cluster shows that effective programs often include:

• Simulation exercises – Replicate real-world scenarios like spoofing in dark pools or coordinated cross-market manipulation.
• Case study reviews – Analyse historical enforcement actions and internal incident logs.
• Technology deep dives – Train staff to interpret AI-driven alerts and validate model accuracy.
• Cross-function workshops – Build shared understanding with AML, KYC, and communications surveillance teams.
• Regulatory update briefings – Ensure readiness for changes in international and national requirements.

Final word

A strong surveillance team is a compliance requirement and a competitive advantage. By defining clear roles, building a balanced skill set, and investing in targeted training, you can turn your trade surveillance team into a proactive safeguard for your firm’s reputation and operational integrity.