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

00330458

PROFILE:

Financial Crime Compliance professional with over 10 years of expertise in Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF), sanctions compliance, and financial crime risk management across global financial institutions. Proven track record in enhancing compliance frameworks, driving operational efficiency, and fostering a culture of compliance. Seeking a role that offers opportunities for professional growth and impactful contributions.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Framework Development: Enhanced Financial Crime Risk Management Frameworks, significantly reducing compliance gaps across multiple institutions.
• Regulatory Compliance: Delivered strategic guidance on sanctions-related risks, ensuring adherence to UK and international regulatory standards.
• Audit Success: Spearheaded remediation efforts addressing AML, sanctions, and ABAC gaps, achieving 100% compliance within stipulated deadlines.

SKILLS:

• Governance & Risk Management: Framework development, control testing, and second-line oversight.
• Monitoring: Expertise in sanctions investigations, transaction monitoring, and due diligence (CDD/EDD).
• Regulatory Reporting: Proficient in preparing SARs, STORs, and MLRO reports.

CAREER HISTORY:

November 2022 – September 2024

Financial services

Compliance Officer

Role: Compliance Officer driving second-line risk management in money laundering, sanctions, and anti-bribery and corruption, ensuring robust regulatory compliance.

• Supported the MLRO with enhancing the Financial Crime Risk Management Framework, aligning first and second-line controls with UK regulatory standards.
• Conducted Thematic reviews across the Financial crime department
• Strengthened AML, sanctions, CDD, and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABAC) processes, reducing compliance risks.
• Served as second-line subject matter expert, offering guidance on Sanctions and AML risks.
• Managed AML, Sanctions, and ABAC audit findings by preparing action plans and submitting to internal audit.
• Prepared comprehensive Management Information (MI) for senior stakeholders, facilitating informed decision-making.

September 2020 – July 2022

Banking

Financial Intelligence Unit Officer

Role: Financial Intelligence Unit Officer within the broader Financial Crime Risk Management framework, specialising in managing risks related to AML, CTF, ABC, sanctions, fraud, and cybercrime threats.

• Conducted Financial Crime Risk Assessments, bridging gaps between enterprise policies and UK-specific addenda.
• Acted as second line subject matter expert in all matters pertaining to CDD, AML, Sanctions and Financial Crime.
• Refined transaction monitoring systems to improve detection capabilities for suspicious activities.
• Conducted Thematic reviews across the Financial crime department
• Monitored regulatory developments through horizon scanning, ensuring proactive compliance.
• Supported the development of a robust fraud and cybercrime framework to enhance defences against emerging threats.
• Represented the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in cross-functional working groups.

June 2013 – July 2020

Finance broker

Financial Crime Manager

Role: Financial Crime Manager overseeing organisation-wide initiatives to mitigate risks, ensure compliance, and prevent illicit activities, with expertise in sanctions, AML, anti-bribery, corruption, and transaction monitoring.

• Designed and executed financial crime prevention programmes, focusing on sanctions, AML, fraud, and anti-bribery frameworks.
• Collaborated with internal stakeholders, including legal, operations, and technology teams, to integrate financial crime prevention initiatives into business processes.
• Reviewed high-risk clients directly or indirectly operating in jurisdictions with sanctions and embargoes, mitigating associated risks.
• Produced and submitted SARs and STORs to regulators, ensuring compliance with reporting obligations.
• Acted as main point of contact to the FCA and other regulators for information requests and production orders.
• Delivered financial crime training to staff, increasing compliance awareness and operational vigilance.
• Produced detailed management information reports to the MLRO and senior stakeholders, providing a comprehensive overview of key metrics and insights.

July 2012 – June 2013

Retail banking

Senior Compliance Officer

Role: Senior Compliance Officer responsible for assisting the Global Compliance team in auditing the firm’s Sanctions, Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) program, and Global Transactions program.

• Conducted risk assessments on sanction and PEP frameworks, focusing on screening and monitoring effectiveness.
• Investigated commercial and retail transactions, escalating suspicious activities for further action.

December 2011 – June 2012

Banking

Financial Crime Surveillance Officer

Role: Financial Crime Surveillance Officer specialising in anti-money laundering and market abuse monitoring, with a focus on detecting unusual and suspicious activities, investigating such instances, and escalating as needed.

• Investigated AML and market abuse alerts, providing detailed findings to the MLRO.
• Reviewed high-risk client escalation forms and ensured comprehensive analysis before MLRO sign-off.

February 2011 – December 2011

Investment banking

Financial Crime Officer

Role: Financial Crime Officer responsible for providing second-line support and guidance, and monitoring transactions for anti-money laundering and market abuse.

• Reviewed sanctions, PEPs, and negative media escalations, ensuring compliance.
• Monitored transactions for AML and market abuse, escalating potential risks to the MLRO.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment

CISI Investment Operations Certificate & CISI Level 3 Award in Global Financial Compliance

Modules included:

• Introduction to Securities and Investment
• FSA Financial Regulation
• Global Financial Compliance

University

BA Honours degree in Business Administration

Modules included:

• Business Economics
• Finance & Accounting
• Strategic Analysis
• Business Ethics
• Entrepreneurship

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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