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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