If you are interested in this candidate, please contact Charlie Watson via email cwatson@cerfinancial.co.uk or call on 0207 626 6065.
00356720
PROFILE:
As an experienced compliance leader and former FCA Decision Maker, I bring over 10 years of senior-level expertise across both the public and private sectors. My background combines strategic compliance consultancy with extensive second-line oversight experience, supporting multinational organisations, operating within highly regulated financial service environments. I have a proven record of designing, implementing, and embedding robust compliance frameworks and monitoring strategies that uphold regulatory integrity and align with FCA, ICO and PRA expectations. Throughout my career, I have led complex compliance projects, guided senior stakeholders, and enhanced governance standards across diverse business areas.
SKILLS:
- Regulatory Frameworks
- Compliance Monitoring and Testing
- Policy Development and Implementation
- Internal Audit and Assurance
- Risk and Resilience
- Multi-entity Oversight
- Banking Frameworks
- GDPR
- Outsourcing and Third-Party Contract Management
- Strategic regulatory foresight & Horizon Scanning
- Investigations and Internal Audit
- Trade Surveillance
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Regulatory Strategy & Leadership
- Secured FCA Consumer Credit Licences for two firms, leading mid-to-end application processes and ensuring full regulatory compliance.
- Delivered high-quality regulatory decisions on complex consumer credit cases, including firm authorisations, variations of permission, and supervisory interventions, ensuring alignment with FCA Principles and the Consumer Credit Sourcebook (CONC).
Compliance Frameworks & Governance
- Delivered board-level compliance reporting that directly influenced strategic decisions, contributing to the successful authorisation and operational readiness of the new bank.
- Directed the design and implementation of a comprehensive compliance and governance framework, establishing robust systems to monitor and evidence Frontline’s adherence to regulatory and statutory obligations.
Financial Crime / AML / KYC
- Led the creation of the AML and KYC framework for a new banking platform, ensuring readiness for launch and passing FCA scrutiny with no material findings.
- Enhanced AML/KYC effectiveness by strengthening high-risk client reviews, which reduced repeat regulatory findings by 60%.
Monitoring, Risk and Assurance
- Reviewed files across thematic reviews, identifying gaps and implementing corrective actions that improved compliance quality by 20%.
- Executed compliance monitoring activities, including Risk Control Self Assessment’s (RCSA), MiFID II and MAR, in line with departmental plans, achieving 95% completion rate against schedule.
Data Governance / GDPR / Operational Risk
- Delivered a UK GDPR gap analysis and completed DSAR reviews within ICO timelines, mitigating compliance risk and avoiding potential regulatory penalties.
- Strengthened data governance by aligning policies with ICO guidance and FCA regulations, resulting in improved control over data retention, security, and access management utilising the Third-Party Risk Management system (TPRM).
Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement
- Built strong stakeholder relationships, delivering actionable insights and proactive support.
- Led cross-functional collaboration with Legal, Enforcement, and Policy teams to ensure decisions were robust, defensible, and strategically aligned with FCA objectives.
Governance & Organisational Compliance (GRC)
- Provided strategic oversight of charity governance developments, analysing emerging regulatory and legislative changes and advising the Executive Team on implications and required organisational responses.
- Championed the development and continuous improvement of internal policy architecture, embedding regular review cycles, governance approval processes, and structured document control.
CAREER HISTORY:
April 2025 – Present
Wealth Management
Risk and Compliance Associate
- Led trade surveillance for several client portfolios, detecting and escalating potential market abuse and regulatory breaches.
- Presented key risk trends and compliance metrics to senior leadership, enabling strategic risk prioritisation and process improvements.
- Oversaw compliance with MiFID, FCA, SEC, and internal policies, proactively identifying emerging regulatory risks.
September 2023 – May 2024
Private Client Banking
Compliance Monitoring Contract
- Mapping policies alongside ICO guidance, Information Governance.
- Managing data retention, security, and access controls.
- Led the rollout of targeted compliance training and awareness programmes, embedding regulatory expectations and strengthening the firm’s compliance culture, specifically Consumer duty.
June 2022 – August 2023
Wealth Fund
Compliance Monitoring Contractor
- Delivered expert, solutions focused compliance advice to senior stakeholders, directly influencing business strategy and operational decision-making.
- Oversaw AML and financial crime compliance initiatives, including firm-wide risk assessments, the design and execution of control frameworks, and enhanced due diligence / PEP review processes.
November 2021 – April 2022
Private Bank
Compliance Monitoring Specialist
February 2021 – June 2021
Mortgages
Third - Party Supplier– Contracts Manager
September 2018 – July 2021
Education
Chair of Governors & Chair of Finance Committee
November 2019 – April 2020
Private Bank
Risk and Compliance Officer
August 2018 – October 2018
Interim Governance
Legal and Compliance Manager
September 2016 – October 2016
Financial Services
Compliance And AML Officer
June 2019 – July 2019
Financial Services
Interim Compliance Contractor
2016
Financial Services
Compliance Monitoring Officer
EDUCATION:
2024
Cyber Security Certificate Level 3 – Learning Curve Establishment
2016 – 2019: University
LL. B Law degree (HONS)
2015
Diploma in Financial Crime – Online
References Available Upon Request
If you are interested in this candidate, please contact Charlie Watson via email cwatson@cerfinancial.co.uk or call on 0207 626 6065.
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