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

00021681

PROFILE:

Senior Compliance, Financial Crime, Corporate Banking and Governance professional with extensive experience within UK-regulated banking environments. FCA-approved Senior Manager performing SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) and SMF17 (Money Laundering Reporting Officer) functions with direct accountability to Boards, Risk Committees and regulators.

Proven expertise in regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering, financial crime prevention, corporate lending, trade finance, correspondent banking, governance frameworks, internal controls, regulatory engagement and risk management. Significant experience providing independent Compliance and Financial Crime oversight of corporate lending, credit facilities, trade finance transactions and correspondent banking relationships, ensuring appropriate consideration of AML, sanctions, conduct, reputational and regulatory risks prior to approval.

EDUCATION:

2006 – 2008: University

Master’s degree in criminology and Criminal Psychology

2003 – 2005: University/College

• Diploma in Criminology
• Diploma in Business Studies and Accountancy- THT College
• A-Level equivalent standard including Maths, Croatian and German
• level equivalent in Physics, Geography, History, Biology and Chemistry

QUALIFICATIONS:

2017

Received training on legal proceedings and legislations

2010

International Compliance Association AML Certificate

2009

The Benedix City Professional Programmer

SII Certificate in Banking and Finance

CAREER HISTORY:

December 2019 - May 2026

Banking

Head of Compliance, Internal Controls, MLRO and DPO

FCA Senior Management Functions

Approved by the FCA and PRA to perform:

• SMF16 – Compliance Oversight
• SMF17 – Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)

Key Responsibilities

• Held overall responsibility for the Bank's Compliance, Financial Crime, Internal Control and Data Protection functions.
• Acted as principal contact for FCA, PRA and other regulatory authorities.
• Advised the Board of Directors and Senior Management on regulatory obligations, compliance risks and governance matters.
• Developed and maintained the Bank's Compliance Monitoring Programme and annual Compliance Plan.
• Ensured ongoing compliance with FCA Handbook requirements, PRA regulations, SYSC, SM&CR and applicable UK legislation.
• Maintained and enhanced AML/CTF frameworks, policies and procedures.
• Conducted MLRO reviews and investigations, including suspicious activity assessments and reporting to relevant authorities.
• Oversaw Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), sanctions screening and transaction monitoring programmes.
• Provided independent Compliance and Financial Crime review of correspondent banking, corporate lending, trade finance and credit proposals, assessing AML, sanctions, reputational and regulatory risks prior to approval.
• Participated in Credit Committee discussions and provided Compliance opinion on higher-risk lending relationships, complex transactions and material credit exposures.
• Conducted risk assessments of corporate borrowers, beneficial ownership structures, source of wealth/source of funds, high-risk jurisdictions and transaction flows.
• Assessed financial crime, sanctions and regulatory risks associated with trade finance instruments, including Letters of Credit, Guarantees, Documentary Collections and cross-border financing arrangements.
• Reviewed and challenged customer risk ratings and due diligence assessments for higher-risk corporate clients and correspondent banking relationships.
• Advised business units and senior management on financial crime, sanctions and regulatory implications of proposed lending structures and business opportunities.
• Managed regulatory submissions, responses and interactions with supervisory authorities.
• Led internal control reviews and monitoring activities across business operations, including correspondent banking.
• Managed investigations, fraud incidents and conduct-related matters.
• Delivered compliance, AML and regulatory training programmes to Board members, Senior Managers and employees.
• Oversaw governance frameworks, committee structures and policy review processes.
• Served as Data Protection Officer, ensuring compliance with UK GDPR and data protection requirements.

Key Achievements

• Successfully maintained FCA and PRA regulatory compliance standards during tenure.
• Strengthened the Bank's AML and Financial Crime control framework.
• Enhanced governance and internal control processes across business operations.
• Developed and implemented risk-based compliance monitoring programmes.
• Improved Board reporting and regulatory engagement processes.
• Successfully managed regulatory inspections, audits and thematic reviews.

March 2017- December 2019

Management Consultancy

Regulatory Consultant

• Working with major banks, asset management and brokerage firms, managing their regulatory compliance policies and procedures, ensuring the business processes are compliant with the UK/EU regulatory requirements.
• Advising on applying the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR), including statements of responsibilities and responsibility maps, code of conduct and policy statement.
• Providing subject matter expertise on existing processes to improve organisational efficiency, ensure statutory compliance and resolve operational issues and risks in relation to TCF, Conduct Risk, AML, Fraud, GDPR, MIFID 2, BIPRU, COBS, CASS, PSR, CONC, UCITS, MAR and Cybersecurity.
• Excellent organisational, prioritisation and time-management skills with deep and proven ability to multi-task

Interim for FX brokerage and investment firms

Senior Risk and Compliance Manager

• Oversight of compliance framework, corporate risk and governance structure. Including, but not limited to, coordinating and revising compliance processes and procedures across the business, as well as developing and implementing entirely new policies and CMP.
• Undertake monitoring reviews in accordance with the plan and follow-up investigation of potential breaches
• Conduct investigations into trading activity against the MAR.
• Assessing and analysing the fitness of an approved person against a Statement of Principle
• Conduct gap analysis to ensure compliance with all regulatory rules and requirements related to Financial Crime, Conduct Risk, GDPR and Compliance within the UK business and lead a team of monitoring professionals throughout their daily responsibilities.
• Overseeing Transaction sanctions screening, AML, and KYC business processes and associated systems, ensuring that all the client’s submitted information is up to date and GDPR compliant.
• Advising and approving new products, financial promotions, and marketing material. TOB Agreement and KIDs.
• Overseeing regulatory and KYC/AML remediation projects of corrective actions
• Oversight of the complaint register, conflicts of interest register and gift & hospitality register.
• Regulatory Reporting and oversight of the submission of EMIR and MiFIR reports, including timely trade clearing and trade reporting via Unavista and DTCC
• Oversight of the Compliance Training Program, including administration of the firm’s on
• line system, and ensuring that all staff are allocated and undertake training promptly

June 2015- March 2017

Banking

Compliance Manager

• Advised on Compliance and Regulatory issues including; CASS, MiFID II, Transaction Reporting, Data Privacy & GDPR, SYSC, 4AMLD, COBS including inducements and PA dealing
• Undertook monitoring reviews and follow-up investigation of potential breaches
• Implemented the Senior Managers and Certification Regime SMCR
• Assessing and analysing the fitness of an approved person against a Statement of Principle
• Deputise for the Head of Compliance during periods of his absence
• Dealing with transaction reporting, MiFID implementation and exceptions
• Established and implemented a compliance monitoring plan
• Risk assessed the systems to ensure clients' data is secured and managed in line with GDPR policies and procedures.
• Conducted compliance risk assessments and reviews.
• Conduct investigations into trading activity against the MAR
• Assisted external and internal auditors in their reviews and investigations
• Managed regulatory projects such as MiFID II, Deposit protection and SCV files (FSCS)
• Reviewing and approving financial promotions to ensure compliance with FCA rules and requirements.
• Updated compliance policy and procedures in line with prevailing regulatory requirements
• Managing staff of 6, dealing with their appraisal and personal development

July 2014 - November 2014

Banking

Compliance Monitoring Officer

• Established and implemented a compliance monitoring plan
• Covered full trade analysis, including completeness and data accuracy testing of all instruments, scenarios and data fields.
• Analysed trade reporting processes and arrangements with an approved trade depository (ARM)
• Carried out reviews of CASS documentation and procedures to ensure they are in line with the CASS rules
• Carried out testing of trade reporting to ensure it is compliant with the SUP17 rule.
• Maintained and developed the compliance, CASS, and transactions reporting monitoring plans in accordance with regulatory requirements
• Provided advice on regulatory changes and upcoming rules.
• Assisted management in undertaking current procedural reviews, as well as assisting in the completion of actions relating to errors
• Ensured all issues identified through monitoring are investigated and reported, and that the management has implemented the action plan.

February 2014 - June 2014

Capital Markets

Compliance Director

• Carried out testing and reviews of compliance in line with the CASS rules
• Carried out reviews of trade reporting processes to the FCA via Unavista and ensured compliance with the SUP17 rule
• Assisted the external and internal auditors with their reviews.
• Implemented new trade surveillance (SmartsBroker) system and transaction reporting program.
• Performed periodic reviews on trade surveillance, CASS and transaction reporting systems and controls to assure its adequacy
• Ensured completion of the daily trade surveillance monitoring and investigated potential instances of market abuse and or fraudulent activity
• Ensured all monitoring & surveillance results are documented per the internal procedures.
• Maintained relationships with all levels of management and ensured the action plan had been executed promptly.
• Developed and implemented compliance risk-based monitoring programs, policies, MI and Product Matrix
• Responsible supervisory functions including best execution reviews, trade surveillance reviews and investigation, TRS reconciliation, TRS breaks, TRS reporting review and analysis
• Provided guidance and support to operational management through regular meetings on all trade and transaction reporting issues
• Supported and trained the trade surveillance and transaction reporting and CASS team members

October 2012 – October 2013

Financial Services

Compliance Officer

• Conducted systematic reviews of the banking processes and products to meet regulatory and business needs
• Conducted AML, transaction monitoring and financial crime investigation
• Analysed investment activities and compared them with the client’s investment background and objectives
• Reviewing and approving financial promotions to ensure compliance with FCA rules and requirements.
• Assessed investment suitability and reviewed the best execution, and investigated any discrepancies
• Managed KYC/AML remediation project
• Tested and reviewed the client’s KYC/KYB documentations, including presentations and investment proposals
• Day-to-day point of contact on compliance-related matters and queries throughout the business
• Carried out a periodic compliance review of systems and controls to ensure their adequacy
• Participated in the development and enhancement of a financial crime monitoring framework
• Gave presentations on ABC and AML and assisted with the Compliance training program
• Supported and developed junior team members

June 2012 – September 2012

Banking

Compliance Officer

• Post s166 support
• Conducted systematic reviews of the banking processes and products to meet the regulatory and business needs
• Checked that all remediation projects are correctly completed
• Investigated client due diligence records and processes
• Provided advice and support to the business on compliance-related matters
• Evaluated that the movement on customers’ accounts has been properly analysed
• Ensured work completed by analysts is aligned with the customers’ normal business activities
• Assessed the business risk, advising on AML/KYC policies, and proposing remedial action

May 2011 - April 2012

Capital Markets

Regulatory Documentation Specialist

• Acted as a member of the Legal Entity Group in the AML Project Management Department
• Assisted in the review and quality checks of all AML account opening documents for all types of clients, including clients with significant transactions across M&A, IPO and JVs
• Performing reviews on all in-scope records to ensure accuracy and compliance with requirements
• Monitored account opening activity and reactivation across the Bank
• Investigated stopped accounts based on entity, financial transactions and other account-related businesses
• Advised business units on AML procedures and other regulatory requirements
• Tested a new AML system for its efficiency, consistency and coding of documents

January 2010 - May 2011

Big 4

Senior Risk Management & AML Reviews

• Joined the newly formed AML department on an advisory basis
• Oversaw transactions screening procedure for all clients against OFAC/ HM Treasury sanction lists
• Monitored transactions and investigated where third-party transactions were involved
• Ensured appropriate screening frequency had been applied, as well as all clients' data had been integrated
• Performed reviews on all in-scope records to ensure accuracy and compliance with requirements
• Involved in training and preparation of training material
• Advised businesses on ABC and sanction policies, FSA legislation and JMLSG guidelines
• Reviewed AML processing and implemented changes, and efficiently reduced the error rate by 90%
• Observed inadequacies with recommendations on how to remedy
• Assisted and advised the business on drafting compliance and risk management policies
• Liaised with regulators on specific regulatory issues relevant to the business
• Supported and developed junior team members

August 2008 - December 2009

Investment Banking

Compliance Officer

January 2008 - July 2008

Financial Services

Transaction and Trade Monitoring Project Analyst

November 2005 - September 2007

Banking

Quality Controller

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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