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Head of Compliance & MLRO (SMF16/17) - £145,000

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

00355168

PROFILE:

  • Banking Compliance & asset Management professional for 20 years.
  • Qualified Common Law Barrister & Solicitor (Ontario, Canada); 11+ PQE.
  • Experienced in Trade Finance products and Trade Finance Compliance.
  • Experienced Compliance Professional: Compliance Oversight (FCA SMF16) & MLRO (FCA SMF17).
  • 20 years’ experience in regulatory compliance/financial crime prevention.

Controlled Functions and regulatory responsibilities held in various jurisdictions:

  • United Kingdom: Approved person & Senior Managers Functions (CF10/11, SMF16/17) – FCA and Data Protection Officer registered with the ICO.
  • Ireland: PCF 15 approved by the Central Bank of Ireland.
  • United States: Head of Compliance with the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission for BNP Paribas Asset Management UK ltd.

CAREER HISTORY:

November 2025 - Present

Real Estate Investment Management

Interim Head of Compliance, MLRO & Data Protection Officer (SMF16/17)

  • Regulatory Compliance and Financial Crime prevention Oversight: Act as the UK Head of Compliance (SMF16) and the MLRO (SMF17) for the regulated entity of Long Harbour with oversight of non-regulated entities.
  • Compliance Advisory: Act as the regulatory specialist for the London branch on real estate investment matters and FCA regulation.
  • Compliance Monitoring: Responsible for all monitoring activities
  • Risk Management: In charge of overseeing the operation of the permanent controls plan.
  • Customer Due Diligence KYC/AML: Acted as the MLRO over the UK businesses and review all new and existing business relationships.
  • Data Protection: Acted as the Data Protection Officer contact for the firm; participated to GDPR compliance with focus on the ICO’s notices.
  • Project Work: Worked on regulatory project and improvement of conflicts of interest compliance.
  • Policies and procedures: In charge of implementing and testing policies and procedures.
  • Regulatory reporting and Regulatory contact with supervisory authorities:

April 2021 – October 2025

Banking

Head of Compliance, MLRO & Data Protection Officer (SMF6/17)

  • Regulatory Compliance and Financial Crime prevention Oversight: Act as the UK Head of Compliance (SMF16) and the MLRO (SMF17) for the UK branch to oversee all banking and investment activities.
  • Compliance Advisory: Act as the regulatory specialist for the London branch.
  • Compliance Monitoring: Responsible for the yearly monitoring activities. Conducting surveillance and thematic monitoring.
  • Risk Management: In charge of overseeing the operation of the permanent controls plan.
  • Customer Due Diligence KYC/AML: Acted as the MLRO over the UK businesses and review all new and existing business relationships; Participate in the improvement of account-opening procedures for the UK Branch
  • Policies and procedures: In charge of implementing and testing policies and procedures.
  • Regulatory reporting and Regulatory contact with supervisory authorities: including the PRA, the FCA, OSFI, ICO and the European Central Bank.
  • Project Work: Worked on regulatory projects in partnership with legal and operational risk (i.e. Conduct Risk Framework etc.).
  • Data Protection: Acted as the Data Protection Officer contact for the firm; participated to GDPR compliance with focus on the ICO’s notices.

Trade Finance Compliance:

  • Assisted the German and London front office staff in upskilling their trade finance compliance knowledge;
  • Helped mitigate and prevent the international trend of “de-risking” in trade finance operations
  • Encouraging trade finance initiatives by assessing new jurisdictions from an Anti-Financial Crime perspective;
  • Preventing AML/sanctions breaches and corruption for the trade finance division;
  • Enhancing compliance standards to ensure customisation of the compliance approach to Trade Finance risks;
  • Promoting strong CDD/KYC procedures for the Trade Finance Business Line.
  • Integrated maritime compliance data for trade finance activities to better track vessels and deceptive shipping practices.

March 2020 – March 2021

Asset Management

Senior Compliance Consultant.

  • Compliance Advisory for Luxembourg offices: AML Program Independent Testing and Risk Management; development of AML and KYC/CDD Policies and Procedures.
  • AML Remediation: PEPs/Overflow and Outsourced Customer Identification and Verification.
  • AML Due Diligence: establishing policies, procedures and controls that are designed to detect and report instances of money laundering; client onboarding, and risk scoring; sanctions and negative news screening; monitoring; and open-source public records research and enhanced due diligence on higher risk accounts.
  • Compliance Monitoring for the UK office: Responsible for the AML/CTF monitoring activities. Conducting surveillance and thematic monitoring.
  • Customer due diligence (KYC)
  • UBO Filing and Regulatory implementation coordinator (Vth AML Directive etc.)

June 2019 – January 2020

Banking

Interim Head of Compliance and Head of Risk, CASS Officer (CF10 / CF11)

  • Regulatory Compliance and Financial Crime prevention Oversight: Act as the UK Head of Compliance (CF10) and the MLRO (CF11) for the UK branch to oversee custody and depositary services.
  • Compliance Advisory: Act as the regulatory specialist for the firm and advise several business lines and all London-based functions (COBS, SYSC, SUP, PERG, COLL).
  • CASS Oversight (ex-CF 10A, Controlled Function): ensured oversight of client assets compliance for the London Branch.
  • Technology and Compliance: Have re-written processes for filtering and screening activities for the London Branch with respect to the use of Actimise.
  • Compliance Monitoring: Responsible for the yearly monitoring activities. Conducting surveillance and thematic monitoring.
  • Risk Management: In charge of overseeing the operation of the permanent controls plan.
  • Customer Due Diligence KYC/AML: Acted as the MLRO over the UK businesses and review all new and existing business relationships; Participate in the improvement of account-opening procedures for the UK Branch.
  • Data Protection: Acted as the Data Protection Officer contact for the firm; participated to GDPR compliance with focus on the ICO’s notices.

October 2017 – March 2019

Asset Management

Head of Compliance/ MLRO (CF10/11)

  • Regulatory Compliance and Financial Crime prevention Oversight: Act as the UK Head of Compliance (CF10) and the MLRO (CF11) for the UK authorised firm;
  • Compliance Advisory: Act as the regulatory specialist for the firm and advise several business lines and all London-based functions (COBS, SYSC, SUP, PERG, COLL);
  • Management: Managing a team of 6 compliance professionals;
  • Compliance Monitoring: Responsible for the yearly monitoring activities. Conducting surveillance and thematic monitoring;
  • Risk Management: Implementing RCSAs in line with Basel II;
  • Financial Promotions: Review financial promotions in line with COBS and PERG rules and guidance (MiFID and Non-MiFID pitches);
  • Customer Due Diligence/AML: Act as the MLRO over the UK businesses and review all new and existing business relationships; MLRO for BNPP Investment Partners, Ireland.
  • Data Protection: Act as the Data Protection Officer for the firm; participated to GDPR implementation.
  • Project Work: Working on regulatory projects in partnership with legal and operational risk (Conduct Risk Framework etc.);
  • Policies and procedures: In charge of implementing and testing policies and procedures;
  • Regulatory Implementation: MiFID II, Senior Managers and Certification Regimes etc.

January 2016 – July 2017

Banking

Head of Compliance/ MLRO (CF10/11)

  • Compliance and Financial Crime Oversight: Act as the Head of Compliance (ex-CF10) and the MLRO (SMF17) for the London branch of the Banking Group;
  • Compliance Advisory: Act as the regulatory specialist for the Branch and advise 7 business lines and all London-based functions (COBS, SYSC, SUP, PERG, CASS);
  • Management: Managing a team of 2 compliance professionals;
  • Compliance Monitoring: Designed and implemented the annual monitoring programmes. Conducting surveillance and thematic monitoring;
  • Risk Management: Implementing RCSAs in line with the Basel II;
  • Financial Promotions: Review financial promotions for the various businesses of the branch;
  • Customer Due Diligence/AML: Act as the MLRO over the UK business and review all new and existing business relationships;
  • Data Protection: Act as the Data Controller for the London operations;
  • Reputational Risk: Act as the regional reputational risk manager for the UK business

Trade Finance compliance:

  • Enhanced AML/sanctions breaches and corruption for the London trade finance division;
  • Enhanced compliance standards to ensure customisation of the compliance approach to Trade Finance risks;
  • Promoting strong CDD/KYC procedures for the Trade Finance Business Line.
  • Trained staff on Trade finance operations and risks.
  • Project Work: Working on regulatory projects in partnership with legal and operational risk and the German Head Office;
  • Technology and Compliance: (1) Created an internet-based system (HR/Compliance) which allowed regulatory reporting for business visitors (“overseas visitors”) to the UK (from both an H.R. and a regulatory compliance perspective) in line with FCA requirements). (2) Participated in the digitalization of certain banking solutions to corporate customers (in line with MiFID II requirements).
  • Policies and procedures: In charge of implementing and testing policies and procedures for the UK business;
  • Regulatory Implementation: MiFID II, Senior Managers and Certification Regimes, MAD II etc.

July 2014 – October 2015

Investment Management

Head of Institutional Client Business, Compliance Advisory, V.P.

  • Management: Managing and supervising a team of 2 compliance professionals;
  • Financial Promotions: Covering the full range of financial promotions for the Institutional Business and participating to various Distribution projects that impact that line of business. Daily review of financial promotions (Brochures, Advertisements, Market Commentaries, Articles, Presentations, Banners, Videos, KIIDs (objectives and investment policy, risk and reward profile, charges, past performance, practical information on the fund along with the supplementary information document on the fund);
  • Legal: Cooperating with Legal to manage cross-functions issues in EMEA and globally;
  • Investment Management Agreements (IMAs): In charge of advising and supporting the institutional client teams in their day-to-day negotiations on compliance-related aspects of the agreement (Reporting Duties, Audit Rights, AIFMD, attestations);
  • Due Diligence: Conducting and organising client due diligence visits for institutional clients;
  • Policies and procedures: Preparing and reviewing firm-wide compliance documentation (Compliance Manual, Supplemental Disclosures document, L&C policies and procedures etc.);
  • Client Attestations: Preparing EMEA client attestations (Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-yearly, yearly etc.);
  • Project Work: Working on regulatory projects in partnership with legal and operational risk, such as Suitability, Investment advice, Complaints Handling, Gifts and Entertainment, MiFID II etc.
  • Advisory: Acting as an entry point for domestic and international queries across the Legal & Compliance functions;
  • Training: Preparing and delivering online and face-to-face training to the institutional business;
  • Regulatory Topics: Dealing with Breaches, Financial Promotions, Inducements, Private Placement rules and Reverse Solicitation queries. (in conjunction with compliance SMEs);
  • Products coverage: Equities funds, Fixed-income funds, Irish and Luxembourg UCITS, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) (coverage in conjunction with compliance SMEs);
  • Inter-jurisdictional compliance: UK-EU, UK/Germany-Switzerland-Luxembourg, Central Bank of Ireland Notices; US Investment Company Act of 1940, German Capital Investment Code (“KAGB”), BVI Code.

May 2013 – May 2014

Banking

Operational Compliance Expert, V.P. (Permanent Position)

  • Monitoring: Market Abuse and Insider Dealing Monitoring Supervisor for EMEA branches.
  • Management: Managing a team of 3 monitoring analysts;
  • Advisory Compliance: Providing advice to the business lines and other compliance functions and interaction with global firm wide projects;
  • Regulatory developments: UK-Germany-Europe: Market Abuse Directive, WpHG, MakonV), FCA Rules, FSMA, ESMA, Client Money and Client Assets Rules (CASS);
  • Systems and Controls: Implementing and enhancing monitoring systems and controls for the various branches (in compliance with SYSC Rules/MakonV);
  • Training: Training to staff and education provided through Workshops etc.;
  • Management information: Monthly Report to Senior Management on monitoring activities.
  • Products coverage: Equities funds, Fixed-income funds, Commodities and Derivatives;

October 2012 – April 2013

Asset Management

Front Office Compliance Officer (Maternity Cover)

Technological project: Investment Management Platform Transfer including KYC data.

October 2011– August 2012

Banking

Compliance Manager (Maternity cover)

March 2011 – August 2011

Law Firm

Internal Risk & Compliance Manager (Contractual Position)

May 2010 – March 2011

Banking | Asset Management

Alternatives and Institutional Advisory Compliance Officer, Associate

EDUCATION:

  • Professional Titles

Qualified Common Law Barrister & Solicitor (Law Society of Ontario, Canada).

  • 2014: University, Faculty of Law
  • JURIS DOCTOR (J.D.) in Common Law
  • 2006 – 2009: University, Faculty of Law

MASTER of Business Law (LL.M.),

  • 2004 – 2008: Licensing Requirements and Equivalence Standards

BACHELOR in Law (LL. B), Equivalences of the Québec Bar.

  • 2002 – 2004: University, Faculty of Law

MASTER of International Law (LL.M.), Cum Laude,

  • 2001 – 2002: Law School | University

MASTER (1) in International Law, Cum Laude,

  • 2002: University

Exchange Student Program

  • 2001 – 2001: Law School | University

MASTER (1) in Public Law,

  • 1997-2001: Law School | University

CERTIFICATE of Legal English (Common Law), University diploma.

  • 1997-2001: Law School

BACHELOR in Law (“Licence”)

LANGUAGES:

  • English, French, German, Spanish (fluent/written/spoken) Portuguese Intermediate).

TECHNICAL:

  • Banking applications: Swift Alliance, Montran, Murex, StorQM, Business Object, Factiva, Pegasus, Aladdin, ThinkFolio, Sentinel. General: MS Office, Internet, DOS.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • ACAMS, Anti-Money Laundering, Underway;
  • United Arabs Emirates Compliance Certificate, Level 3 CISI, Underway;
  • Investment Management Certificate (IMC), CFA Society, Unit 1 completed,
  • Capital Markets Certificate, Level 3, (CISI), UK regulation and Derivatives, London. Underway;
  • Diploma in Investment Compliance, Level 6, CISI, London. 2020
  • Diploma in Capital Markets, Level 6, CISI, London.
  • Risk in Financial Services, Level 3, CISI, 2020
  • Conduct Risk Certificate, International Compliance Association (ICA); 2018;
  • Autorité des Marchés (“AMF”) Banking Certification (France), 2019;
  • Diploma in Financial Crime Prevention, Merit, Advanced Level, ICA 2019;
  • Certificate in Investment Operations (IOC+), Level 3, (CISI) comprising of UK Financial Regulation, Client Money and Assets (CASS); Introduction to Securities and Investment and Risk 2017;
  • Diploma de español como lengua extranjera DELE (A2), Instituto Cervantes. 2016;
  • Advanced Course in German (“Deutsch für fortgeschrittene”) 2018-2021 (B1-C2), Goethe Institut, London, 2018-2020.

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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