If you are interested in this candidate, please contact Charlie Watson via email cwatson@cerfinancial.co.uk or call on 0207 626 6065.

00169082

PROFILE:

I am a Senior Regulatory Compliance Manager and Data Protection professional with over eight years of experience in the financial services industry. My expertise is primarily in banking, payments, brokerage, onboarding, clearing and post-trade processes, electronic trading platforms, and regulatory reporting. Also, my role covers a broad range of financial crime issues and legal matters involving civil litigation (Property, Employment, and Contracts).

I have an excellent understanding of the FCA Handbook (MAR, SYSC, COBS) and JMLSG, European financial services (MiFID 2, ESMA Guidelines for Electronic Trading, EMIR), GDPR and US regulations (Dodd-Frank and FATCA), PSD2, PCI DSS, Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Handbook and Civil Procedures rules of England and Wales.

I am an excellent communicator, and my strengths include communicating complex regulatory issues to individuals or stakeholders with no background knowledge of the subject matter. Some of the skills I would contribute to an organization are regulatory Compliance and legal expertise, interpersonal skills, problem solving, good verbal and written communication skills, analytical skills, the ability to work jointly and effectively, and an excellent commercial-focused approach to meeting organizational objectives. Also, I was registered as a CF10 for an FCA-authorised firm in one of my previous roles. I am currently a Compliance Manager with an FCA-registered firm and recorded as the Data Protection Officer with the Information Commissioners Officer (ICO).

EDUCATION:

• Fraud Risk Management, July
• Trade Based Financial Crime Compliance (AML), February 2024.
• Managing Proliferation Finance, Dual-Use Goods and Sanctions Risks, November 2023.
• Reporting under the POCA and the Terrorism Act, May 2023.
• Customer Due Diligence and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), May 2023.
• Managing the Risks of Tax Crimes, January 2023.
• Managing the Risks of Bribery and Corruption, November 2022.
• Managing the Risks of Sanctions and Sanctions Evasion Training, September 2022.
• Global Financial Compliance, November 2016.
• University: Legal Practice Course (LPC) (2018 – 2020)
• College of Law: Bar Vocational Course (BVC) (2003 – 2004)
• University: Post-graduate Diploma in Law/CPE (2001 – 2002)
• University College: MA (Legal and Political Theory) (1997 – 1998)
• University: BA (Hons) Politics Upper 2:1 (1994 – 1997)

CAREER HISTORY:

August 2022 - Present

Banking

Senior Compliance Officer

• Carry out such tasks, reviews, and monitoring as identified in the banks Compliance Monitoring Program ("CMP")
• Carry out such tasks, checks, and monitoring as identified in the banks Compliance Work Plan ("CWP")
• In charge of all SMCR issues and make the relevant SMCR application required by the FCA/PRA.
• In conjunction with the DHoC & MLRO, review and update the banks compliance and financial crime prevention procedures and policies, ensuring they meet current regulatory requirements and company policy and are "fit for purpose".
• Draft Compliance training material for the banks staff and provide on-site training to London-based teams and regional offices as required.
• Provide management information for inclusion in the monthly Board of Directors pack as requested by the DHoC.
• Research and report on future regulatory and legislative changes that may impact the Firm and provide updates to business areas affected, including following up and reporting to DHoC on actions required to comply with new regulations, including tracking and reporting of remediation projects.
• Day-to-day oversight of the compliance monitoring plan ensuring appropriate reporting of matters under review and cause for concern items are investigated and escalated to the DHoC and MLRO accordingly.
• Manage remediation projects when appropriate, providing scope, timeframe, resource, and resolution.
• Responsible for compliance regulatory submission to the FCA via Reg Data
• Day-to-day oversight of overseas office-based compliance personnel.
• Provide information and respond to inquiries as regulatory and law enforcement organizations request.
• Undertake ad hoc Compliance-related tasks as Deputy Head of Compliance and MLRO instructed.

November 2021 – July 2022

Finance broker

Compliance Manager/MLRO

• The Compliance Officer's responsibilities include those listed below:
• Conducted the compliance monitoring undertaken and whether compliance monitoring was being worked on schedule.
• Make sure trade monitoring is conducted weekly by an appropriate person. The trades to be monitored are selected to identify (potential) market abuse/suspicious transactions.
• Monitored deposits and withdrawals from clients' accounts are reviewed and recorded daily for anti-money laundering purposes.
• Trained with crucial personnel is conducted to compare the daily practice.
• Liaised with the FCA and implemented FCA rule changes.

September 2020 – October 2021

Capital Markets

Compliance Officer/ Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)

The Compliance Officer's duties and responsibilities include those listed below. At each board meeting, which is held every month, the Compliance Officer will report orally and, if necessary (depending on the nature and importance of the matter), on compliance issues arising since the previous meeting.

• The results of the compliance monitoring undertaken and whether compliance monitoring is being conducted on schedule.
• The contents of any inspection report received from the FCA.
• The subject of any correspondence to or from the FCA.
• The contents of any report from external compliance consultants.
• The financial resources position of the Firm's purposes.

TRADE MONITORING

Trade monitoring is conducted every week by an appropriate person. The trades to be monitored are selected to identify (potential) market abuse/suspicious transactions. Reasons for initial suspicion should include the following:

• A client is placing a deal more significant than usual.
• A client speculates on a specific instrument with much money compared to their financial standing.
• Unusual trading patterns

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING MONITORING

Deposits and withdrawals from clients' accounts will be reviewed and recorded daily for anti-money laundering purposes. Copies of the funding report will be downloaded and recorded in an appropriate file.

Issues to be aware of in the monitoring review will include the following:

• Deposits/withdrawals of significant size
• Deposits/withdrawals not in line with previous transactions
• Withdrawal of funds from newly opened accounts

TRAINING

Training with crucial personnel will be conducted to compare the daily practice to documented procedures. Training subjects and dates will be logged and reviewed to ensure all staff achieve appropriate competence standards. The reviews will be conducted at least half a year.

May 2019 – August 2020

Financial services

Senior Legal and Compliance Officer (Payment Services)

• Liaise with the FCA and implement FCA rule changes so far as they affect TSG.
• Redrafted both entities' compliance manuals and merged them for the group.
• We implemented PSD2, GDPR, and various other regulatory change events.
• Support and guide any Data Protection monitoring by Compliance, Audit, and Quality Control or Information Security teams.
• Responsible for the Personal Data Breach process for Global Data Protection Compliance, including further system development, taking the lead, and partnering with other DPMs/DPOs globally.
• Responsible for horizon scanning for relevant changes to legislation affecting Compliance with Data Privacy legislation globally.
• Assist the business with developing procedures, controls, and protocols relating to Fidelity's privacy and data protection risks in the UK.
• We promote awareness and a culture of personal responsibility by developing and implementing training and communications.
• Provide advice and guidance to the business areas through proactive support and involvement in business projects and respond to day-to-day queries on data protection issues.
• Submit and oversee Periodic Financial Returns and Reports to FCA within the prescribed deadlines and update and maintain relevant AML policies.
• Maintain the Compliance Procedures Manual and keep it up to date.
• Maintain the Breaches Register, the Complaints Register, the Financial Promotions Register, the Soft Commissions Register, the Gifts and Entertainment Register, approved person records, and Training and Competence records.
• Advise various departments on issues as they arise.
• Deal with clients' complaints following FCA's Dispute Resolution Manual requirements.
• Deal with SARs from clients and multiple organizations.

August 2018 – March 2019

Private limited company

Compliance Officer/Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) (Contract) (FX, CFD and OTC market)

• Reviewed and drafted the output of the monitoring program and ensured all remedial action was carried out.
• Reviewed and prepared all compliance policies and made the necessary changes to meet the regulatory requirements.
• Reviewed and drafted the Compliance Procedure Manual and updated it.
• Reviewed and updated the Money Laundering and Data Protection policies.
• Reviewed and approved all non-real-time financial promotions and published recommendations before their issue, even where they were to be communicated by someone other than the Firm's personnel.
• Advised on all significant contracts, including negotiating and drafting as required.
• Analysed the form's legal risk and offered alternatives and recommendations as needed.
• Researched all legislation (FCA & ESMA) affecting the Firm and ensured that relevant stakeholders were informed of new or proposed legislation and policy.
• Advised the Firm on all relevant Employment law issues as they arise.

January 2018 – June 2018

FX company

Compliance Officer/Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) (Contract) (FX, CFD and OTC market)

• Implemented MiFID II, GDPR, and various other regulatory changes, and the Board approved my recommendations.
• Reviewed and drafted the compliance monitoring plan, drew a new project, and ensured the Firm fully implemented it.
• Prepared the Compliance Procedure Manual, and the Board approved it.
• Drafted the Money Laundering Policy for the Firm and the Data Protection Policy.
• Drafted and set up the Breaches Register, Complaints Register, Financial Promotions Register, Gifts, Entertainment Register, Sanctions, Financial Crime, and PEP.
• Reviewed and approved all non-real-time financial promotions and published recommendations before their issue, even where they were to be communicated by third parties other than one of the Firm's personnel.
• Advised on all significant contracts and drafting as required.
• Analysed the Firm's legal risk and offered alternatives and recommendations as needed.
• Researched all legislation (FCA & ESMA) affecting the Firm and ensured that relevant stakeholders were informed of new or proposed legislation and policy.
• Advised the Firm on all relevant Employment law issues as they arise.

May 2016 – December 2017

Financial services

Compliance Officer (CF10) (FX, CFD, and OTC market)

• Liaised with the FCA and implemented FCA rule changes so far as they affect the company.
• We implemented MiFID II and various other regulatory change events.
• Reviewed the output of the monitoring program and ensured all remedial action was carried out.
• I redrafted the Compliance Procedure Manual in line with MiFID II requirements.
• I was reading and understanding the implications of other FCA/PRA publications, bulletins, etc.
• Handled FCA-related compliance queries from employees.
• I monitored and recorded the monitoring results of the Firm's Compliance with the FCA's Rules.
• Maintained the Compliance Procedures Manual and kept it up to date.
• We carried out duties concerning personal account dealing, as set out in the Firms' Account Dealing Rules.
• Obtained pre-approval from the FCA for clearance events and made pre-and post-notifications to the FCA of notification events within the prescribed deadlines and in the prescribed manner.
• Submitted and oversaw Periodic Financial Returns and Reports to FCA within the prescribed deadlines and updated and maintained relevant AML policies.
• I dealt with customer complaints to FCA's Dispute Resolution Manual requirements.
• Maintained the Breaches Register, Complaints Register, Financial Promotions Register, Soft Commissions Register, Gifts and Entertainment Register, Approved person records, and Training and Competence records.
• Reviewed and approved all non-real-time financial promotions and published recommendations before their issue, even where they were to be communicated by someone other than the Firm's personnel.
• We monitored real-time financial promotions to comply with the FCA's requirements.
• I have implemented the recommendations of auditors and external consultants.
• They reported compliance issues to the CEO and Board of Directors.
• Advised various departments on FX, CFDs, Commodities, and fixed-income matters.
• Part of the team that applied to the FCA for the 750k license.

August 2015 - November 2015

Banking

Legal & KYC Analyst (Contract)

• Responsible for ensuring the Bank remains compliant with Customer Due Diligence (CDD) standards and the Group Policy and legal requirements relevant to Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing. I also provided the Bank with a Legal Documentation review as part of the KYC onboarding process across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

March 2015 - July 2015

Consulting

Regulatory Compliance Advisory (Investment Banking) (Contract)

• Miura Consulting is the city's premier Compliance Regulatory Reporting Consulting, specializing in AIFMD, EMIR, MIFIR, and MIFID/MIFID2 Reporting. They are also experts in trading systems such as Calypso, Murex, Summit, and Wall Street. I implemented the relevant regulatory reporting and compliance policy at their client sites.

June 2012 – February 2015: (Online Housing portal specialized in selling and renting properties) - Regulatory Compliance Advisory

Responsible for regulatory Compliance at this Online Housing firm and reviewed policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with all regulations and directives from various regulatory bodies in the United Kingdom.

• Researched issues related to the adequacy of internal compliance efforts mandated by the law.
• Conducted internal audits of regulatory compliance documentation.
• We have enacted stricter, measurable compliance documentation to ensure successful (FCA) advisors.
• Collaborated with senior stakeholders in designing and implementing various FCA regulations.
• They provided timely and professional advice on regulatory matters.
• Designed training program and led workshops regarding general compliance obligations.
• I liaised with Clients and Stakeholders to provide advice as required.
• Report writing to senior stakeholders.
• I monitored the Card Payment System process regulatory requirements every week.
• Assisted the Legal & Regulatory unit with managing the day-to-day relationship with key regulatory bodies (the Payments System Regulator

June 2010 – May 2012: School of Management

Lecturer in law: LLB (Hons)

• Module leader for contract law and tort law / Project Supervisor for LLB (Hons) students
• Lead learning and teaching activities in contract and tort laws (module leadership).
• Determined the structure and style of the learning experience.
• Designed the supporting teaching materials and liaised with colleagues to ensure the learning experience fitted with the overall context of the program.
• Designed, developed, and reviewed teaching activities and materials.
• Delivered lectures, seminars, tutorials, and equivalent classes and provided feedback to students concerning assessed work.
• I gave students practical advice, guidance, and feedback to support their academic progress.
• I Contributed to the administration of the academic program by supporting open days and induction.
• I taught contract law, public law, and tort law.
• I attended examination board meetings.

January 2009 – May 2010

Legal Associates

Paralegal (Contract)

• Attended crown courts with counsel and took notes of proceedings, detailing any areas of contention and reporting back to the solicitor on the conduct of the case.
• I liaised with clients and their families, demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate complex matters clearly to individuals with no legal background.
• Prepared bail applications checked interview tapes for accuracy and chased up secondary disclosures promptly.
• Involved in extensive case studies and research in preparing briefs for trials.

December 2006 – December 2008

Banking

Regulatory Compliance Advisor

Provides integrated financial services, including commercial banking, investment banking, stockbroking, and real estate. This regulatory role supported retail banking businesses in creating compliance management policies and procedures in response to an unsatisfactory regulatory audit.

• Worked with other group members to proactively identify, measure, and monitor compliance risk.
• I have created documentation and maintenance of regional compliance program deliverables.
• Advised and coordinated appropriate monitoring and testing routines for managing risk and ensuring Compliance with applicable regulations.
• Assisted in developing, producing, and maintaining a risk measurement framework.
• Advised the Operations section and helped administer programs that provided a global view of Compliance risk.
• Supported the regulatory compliance aspects of change management projects impacting technology and operations.
• Worked to ensure Compliance has suitable oversight routines with a focus on Client Assets, Transaction Reporting
• Wrote the retention policy for electronic communications.
• Analyse and interpret Banking regulations for integration into the master retention schedule applicable to the Firm.

January 2006 – November 2006

Barrister

Internship (criminal & immigration law)

March 2005 – November 2006

Architectural designer

P/T Paralegal (Criminal law) (Contract)

MINI-PUPILLAGES:

• July 2011: Four days marshaling Recorder Gelaga King in a Crown Court
• June 2007: Crown Prosecution Services
• March 2003: Chambers
• February 2003: Chambers
• January 2003: Chambers

EDUCATION:

September 2013 – May 2014: University

P/T Lecturer in law: Legal Practice Course (LPC) Business Law and Practice

September 2010 – June 2014: Business School

P/T Lecturer in law: BA (Hons) Business and Law

September 2004 – September 2005: College

Lecturer in law: BA (Hons) Law (Contract)

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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