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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PROFILE:

An accomplished financial crime professional recognised for driving process improvements and enhancing productivity within financial services. My expertise lies in implementing financial crime prevention and detection activities that enhance operational efficiency. An expert in improving regulatory compliance, building cross-departmental relationships to meet strategic objectives, and implementing innovative solutions. Committed to advancing organisational goals through effective controls and regulatory adherence.

SKILLS:

• Expert knowledge of AML/CTF, Sanctions, Transaction Monitoring (TM), Fraud Prevention ABC and Assurance Testing
• In-depth knowledge of UK, EU, and US AML rules and regulations
• In-depth knowledge of JMLSG, FCA and FATF guidance and recommendations
• Expert knowledge at filling STRs and SARs reports
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Line Management experience.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access)

CAREER HISTORY:

May 2023 – January 2024

Banking

Financial Crime Compliance Business Oversight Manager

• Led the day-to-day activities of the Financial Crime Advisory Team, providing thematic monitoring reviews, testing, reviewing the severity of issues identified, designing remedial actions, providing required signoffs and approvals.
• Reviewed and investigated suspicious transactions, filled out, and completed STRs and SARs with the NCA.
• Provided SME advisory on assessment and identification of the Bank’s financial crime risks.
• Provided financial crimes advisory to first and second line of defence colleagues in addressing root causes, identifying opportunities to improve processes and procedures.
• Provided advisory to the bank to support completion of financial crime risk reviews, including AML/CTF, Sanctions, ABC, Fraud and Anti-Tax Evasion.
• Focal point person in the team for questions, issues and escalations related to high-risk and complex customers.
• Line manager for team member/ analysts
• Produced MI report for governance committees and senior management, demonstrating compliance with policies, highlighting issues, and trends where appropriate.
• Performed horizon scanning, providing support and guidance around regulatory change.

Achievements:

• Successfully delivered enhancements to the due diligence and transaction investigation processes bank-wide, leading to a 56% efficiency improvement on client on-boarding and refresh initiatives as well as a 76% efficiency improvement on transaction investigations.

September 2022 – May 2023

Online payments

Compliance Program Manager

• Provided subject matter expert input and guidance in ensuring APUK’s payment activities operated in accordance with all legal and regulatory requirements by monitoring the compliance of business activity.
• Applied working knowledge of FCA regulations such as Consumer Duty Regulations and Payment Services Regulations and Policies to articulate customer/control impact and drive alignment across teams.
• Assisted with the development, documentation and maintenance of policies and procedures.
• Line manager for team member/ analysts
• Reviewed, challenged, and approved risk records, policy breaches and matters for escalation.
• Collaborated with business leads to identify and collate relevant information to respond to requests for information from auditors and regulators (ad hoc and regulatory returns).
• Maintained up to date knowledge of relevant regulations by monitoring regulatory changes and emerging risk from regulatory sources, to proactively communicate key developments to internal stakeholders and support the implementation of regulatory change.

August 2021 – June 2022

Banking

Financial Crime Compliance Oversight Manager

• Performed horizon scanning, providing guidance to the business on papers/guidance and regulatory change. Achievements:
• Provided SME advisory on assessment and identification of the Bank’s financial crime risks.
• Led the day-to-day activities of the Financial Crime Advisory Team.
• Provided thematic monitoring reviews, testing, reviewing the severity of issues identified, designing remedial actions, providing required signoffs and approvals.
• Line manager for team member/ analysts
• Reviewed and investigated suspicious transactions, filled out, and completed STRs and SARs with the NCA.
• Provided financial crimes advisory to first and second line of defence colleagues in addressing root causes, identifying opportunities to improve processes and procedures.
• Supported the senior management with maintenance, ongoing effectiveness, and implementation of all compliance policies and procedures owned by the Financial Crime Compliance Advisory team.

Achievements:

• Successfully delivered enhancements to the bank's financial crimes-related controls and processes, leading to a 46% improvement in regulatory compliance. Ensured a successful S.166 review and regulatory approval.

May 2016 – June 2021

Banking

Financial Crime Compliance Manager

Business Oversight:

• Led the day-to-day activities of the Financial Crime Advisory Team, providing thematic monitoring reviews, testing, reviewing the severity of issues identified, designing remedial actions, providing required signoffs and approvals.
• Provided advisory to the bank to support completion of financial crime risk reviews, including AML, Fraud, Sanctions, ABC and Anti-Tax Evasion.
• Focal point person in the team for questions, issues and escalations related to high-risk and complex customers.
• Provided subject matter expert advisory support to first and second line of defence colleagues covering financial crime risk exposure (including with respect to new client on-boarding projects and refresh initiatives).

Achievements:

• Successfully delivered an automated digital onboarding platform leading to an 86% improvement in the bank KYC and Client Lifecycle Management (CLM). This ensured that the bank's operating license was maintained, and the deferred prosecution action resolved.

Transaction Monitoring:

• Reviewed and investigated transaction monitoring alerts.
• Performed thematic monitoring reviews, testing, reviewing the severity of issues identified, designing remedial actions, providing required signoffs and approvals.
• Completed and filled SARs where necessary with the NCA.
• Provided subject matter expert input and guidance to the Transaction Monitoring Risk Assessment and Optimisation workstreams.
• Managed the design, implementation, and tuning of transaction monitoring system processes and controls across 62 countries, managing financial crime risk exposures across HSBC global sites.
• Performed horizon scanning, providing guidance on papers/guidance and regulatory change.

Achievements:

• Successfully delivered an automated transactional screening control and processes for HSBC, ensuring a 100% efficiency improvement to their transaction monitoring assessments covering 62 countries.

Product and Payments:

• Provided subject matter expert input and guidance to the business on HSBC UK products covering financial crime risk exposures.
• Led day-to-day activities of the financial crime Product and Payments Team, including monitoring the advisory inbox, required signoffs, and approvals.
• Maintained awareness of major regulatory changes affecting assigned business by ensuring appropriate communication and development of appropriate policy/procedure changes remain compliant.
• Maintained effective interactions with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other regulatory bodies.

Achievements:

• Successfully delivered 8 digital products generating over £168 million in revenue.
• Successfully led the design, implementation, and monitoring of product governance policies and procedures to ensure effective risk management of products.

August 2014 – May 2016

Banking

AML/KYC Manager

• Provided advisory to the Bank to support completion of AML/KYC reviews.
• Performed thematic monitoring reviews, testing, reviewing the severity of issues identified, designing remedial actions, providing required signoffs and approvals.
• Focal point person in the team for questions, issues and escalations from business heads, operations, technology, first and second line of defence.
• Led day-to-day activities of the KYC Advisory Team, including monitoring the advisory inbox, required signoffs, and approvals.
• Performed QA on KYC reviews for low and high-risk customers.
• Performed horizon scanning, providing guidance to the business on papers/guidance and regulatory change.

EDUCATION:

September 2018 - December 2018: Business School

ICA Certificate in Financial Crime Prevention

September 2012 – May 2013: University

ICA Advanced Certificate in Compliance

September 2009 – March 2011: University

Master of Laws LLM in Commercial Law

October 2003 – July 2008

Bachelor of Laws LLB (Hons) Law

LANGUAGES:

• English: Native Language
• French: Elementary

ACTIVITIES AND HONORS:

• Avid Tennis Player
• Member of a community charity delivering programs focused on Coaching, education, economic empowerment, and health & wellness all underpinned by leadership.

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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