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Head of Compliance & MLRO (SMF16/17) - £150,000

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

00020742

PROFILE:

Compliance Leadership, Regulated Markets both Corporate and Retail – UK, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, and Gibraltar, Payment Services, Fintech, Conduct Risk, Compliance Monitoring, Consumer Duty, Financial Crime, Fraud, Motor Finance, Trust and Funds, Regulatory Projects, MLRO, Complex Investigations, FCA Licence Applications, FCA Approved Person SMF16 &17, ABC Officer, Data Protection Officer.

Senior Compliance Manager with more than 25 years of experience driving financial services success both in the UK and Internationally having spent several years living in Jersey. Significant exposure to both corporate, business, commercial and retail operations. Delivering critical corporate FCA/PRA/JFSC leadership to UK/Jersey leading organisations, FCA Approved Person experience for Compliance Oversight, Risk and Controls Self-Assessment, Financial Crime/MLRO, Banking, Significant Trust and Fund regulatory experience, and Mortgage and Insurance Mediation. Cultivate vital internal and external relationships, building stakeholder trust, elevating team capabilities, and collaborating with executive teams. Identify potential regulatory risk elements, strengthening standards via key compliance policies. Possess excellent financial skills honed through professional qualifications. Versatile skill base includes corporate governance, prudential risk, risk assurance compliance monitoring reviews, commercial development, process improvements, strategic planning, offshore regulatory handbooks, T&C schemes, regulatory engagement, strategic project programmes, and assessment of complaints, IT systems and controls, Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR). Recognised as a hands-on leader, noteworthy communicator, and dedicated team player with proven interpersonal skills. Significant work exposure to Consumer Duty regulations and building robust frameworks. Member of the Compliance Advisory Committee at the Association of Foreign Banks (AFB).

CAREER HISTORY:

August 2025 – Present

Banking

Head of Compliance and Money Laundering Reporting Officer – SMF16 and SMF17

  • Reporting into the Chief Risk Officer the role has responsibilities to support the TBUK executive team in achieving their strategic plan and objectives to manage the Bank’s efforts to prevent financial crime and fraud, detect suspicious activity, and report it to relevant authorities. Helping to support the Bank’s ongoing journey of digital transformation across three countries. Turkish Bank offer payment services, deposit and savings, foreign exchange, mortgages, cards and online banking. Transaction monitoring and systems and controls a key part of the role to ensure that as the growth of the bank continues along with diversification the Bank remains safe and meets with all regulatory requirements. Significant part to play in embedding Consumer Duty Framework. Member of the bank’s Executive Committee.

July 2023 – August 2025

Banking

Head of Compliance and Money Laundering Reporting Officer - SMF16 and SMF17

  • The bank offers both retail banking and corporate business banking products. Reporting into the Chief Risk Officer the role has responsibilities for both Compliance Oversight and Money Laundering Reporting. Responsibilities for managing a team of SME’s across both financial crime and regulatory compliance. Member of the Executive Risk Committee, as well as reporting into the Board. Consumer Duty framework and annual board reporting has been a key part of recent responsibilities. Significant exposure to corporate business and ensuring compliance with regulations. The bank is now on a major transformation programme to become a leading fintech/digital bank with the development of a new mobile app, current accounts, savings and moving into retail mortgage lending. Responsibilities include working closely with our parent in Athens. Managed the regulatory aspects of the firm’s variation of permissions to offer retail mortgages.
  • Achievements: 2LoD regulatory support to the bank’s digital transformation programme and the launch of a mobile app, new savings and current account as well as variation of permissions to commence mortgage lending. Complete review of governance, risk frameworks, MI and reporting, Compliance Monitoring Plans for both Regulatory Compliance and Financial Crime, SM&CR framework, Consumer Duty Framework and outcomes testing along with first annual Board report that was well received. Delivery of training and rebuild of the Regulatory Team.

March 2023 – July 2023

Financial Services

Interim Head of Compliance and Money Laundering Reporting Officer

  • This financial institution is the home to around 300 appointed representatives comprising around 10,000 Advisers, as well as being a market leading support to the directly authorised FCA UK Adviser community, covering, mortgages, general insurance, protection, wealth and investment products. Part of the senior management leadership team reporting through to the SBG Board. Responsible for managing the Risk, Compliance and Financial Crime teams across all of Sesame Bankhall Group businesses and performing the SMF16 and 17 functions.

November 2022 – March 2023

Fintech

Interim Head of Risk and Group Money Laundering Reporting Officer

  • Senior leader within a fast growing well established dynamic, entrepreneurial FinTech/EMI payment services business offering international payments, multi-currency IBAN and direct access to UK faster payments, SEPA and SWIFT and multiple card solution products, offering worldwide coverage. Responsibilities for overseeing the firms AML/CTF systems and controls and acting as the group MLRO across several legal entities. Member of the board and risk committee. Reporting line responsibilities for Risk, Fraud and AML teams across multiple locations. Managing risk across the Equals business and overseeing the on boarding of higher risk customers, along with attending site visits for larger prospects. A large proportion of the business being corporate on-boarding of some major players in the payments arena.

September 2021 to November 2022

Banking

Money Laundering Compliance Officer (MLCO) - Policy and Advisory (regulated role)

  • Acting as a key regulated person for the bank International acting as both the MLCO and Deputy Money Laundering Reporting Officer. Providing AML/CTF and Sanctions advice to the businesses which operate in Jersey, ensuring suitable policies and procedures are in place to meet with regulatory standards and mitigate financial crime risk. Providing advice to the first line Risk and On-boarding teams with what are often complex cases a significant part of my responsibilities. A key part of my role is to ensure robust compliance framework activity is completed to the highest standards. Representing Financial Crime at key governance committees and being a member of the Jersey Country Management Committee. Significant interaction with the Jersey Financial Services Commission and leading regulatory thematic examination reviews. Compliance Monitoring, new products and business change, and delivering training to the business is an important part of my responsibilities as well as keeping abreast of regulatory change. AML/CTF Strategy, Governance, MI and Reporting and leading and coaching the Financial Crime team is an essential part of this role.
  • Achievements and successes to date - Building excellent relationships with the business at all levels and getting to fully understand Barclays Wealth and International banking in what is a large complex organisation. Introduced new ways of working to become a more effective and efficient specialist team. Worked extensively with the UK business to ensure that where possible our policy and advisory services to the business teams are aligned. Managed a number of regulatory thematic examinations and various regulatory consultations. Sanctions has been a key part of the most recent period as a result of the Russia/Ukraine crisis and Barclay’s exposure in the Crown Dependencies. Significant involvement in determining the on-boarding and on-going risk and compliance relationships across complex corporate structures.

September 2020 – September 2021

Banking

Head of Compliance and MLRO SMF16 and SMF17

  • Leading and managing a specialist Compliance and Financial Crime team for one of the fastest growing UK FinTech digital banks that obtained its banking licence from the FCA/PRA in September 2019 and have a particular focus on the SME/Corporate business sector, offering commercial mortgages, asset finance, personal and business savings products and due to launch a digital payment account during 2021. Responsibilities for both Compliance Oversight and Money Laundering Reporting across the Allica businesses, reporting directly into the Board.
  • Achievements and successes- Introduced and built a risk, compliance and financial crime framework for the bank covering the three pillars of financial crime, AML/.CTF, Sanctions and Anti-Bribery and Corruption. Built significant relationships with the business and represented Compliance and Financial Crime at senior governance meetings. Worked closely with engineers and technical teams in developing new digital products including a new mobile app for both commercial and retail customers.

July 2018 – March 2020

Financial Services

Interim Head of Compliance and Financial Crime/MLRO SMF16 and four SMF17 appointments

  • Responsibilities for overseeing and managing all AML/CTF and Fraud regulatory obligations which represent five separately, regulated and authorised FCA firms. Heading up a number of key strategic regulatory projects and managing an extensive Financial Crime enhancement operational programme and implementing and embedding the new Senior Managers and Certification Regime. Established and rolled out a new Customer Risk Assessment programme and Compliance Monitoring framework, along with a new suite of Policy and Procedures. Leading a professional highly motivated and passionate team of 15 staff across multiple jurisdictions. FCA approved for SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) and SMF17 (Money Laundering Reporting). Member of ExCo and Risk and Conduct Committee. Exposure to both retail and corporate business.
  • Achievements and successes – Designed, implemented and embedded a new risk and regulatory framework for both Compliance and Financial Crime across multiple regulated entities. Instrumental in strengthening the on-boarding process and managing high risk customers, both corporate and retail. As part of SMCR introduced robust MI and reporting. Completed a full review of Policy and Procedures across the business. Implemented a new risk-based Compliance Monitoring Plan. Played a key role in a number of remediation programmes, and forged good relationships with the regulator. Headed up FCA Motor Finance Review project.

November 2017 – September 2018

Financial Services

Interim Head of Compliance, MLRO and Risk (SMF16 and SMF17)

  • Reporting directly to the CEO and Board, and part of the senior management team. Responsibilities for managing the Society’s obligations under the FCA Senior Manager Regime for Compliance Oversight SMF16 and MLRO SMF17. Managing the proposed merger, which was successfully completed on 1 October 2018. Responsibilities included Operational Risk and Data Protection Officer.
  • Achievements and successes – Played a major role in the successful merger of the Society with the Skipton Building Society, ensuring that all regulatory obligations were followed working closely with the FCA and the PRA, and at the same time taking responsibility for BAU regulatory activities.

August 2017 – November 2017

Banking

Interim AML Strategy and Transformation Change Programme Specialist Adviser SME - UK

  • Playing a leading role in the banks global improvement programme, to raise standards across all elements of its operating financial crime controls framework and to ensure that all AFC-related legal and regulatory obligations are being met. The improvement programme is wide-ranging and covers the full customer lifecycle, with recommendations for change being made to a wide range of controls for identifying and mitigating financial crime risk.
  • The key focus is centred upon the UK change programme however the project has a global reach and is tasked with remediating and improving areas identified through various regulatory interactions. The role entails extensive exposure to major stakeholders across the Bank’s global operations.
  • Achievements and successes – Played a critical part in managing the AML programme to enhance systems and controls across the Bank following the enforcement action taken at the beginning of 2017.

January 2015 to July 2017

Banking

Deputy Head of Financial Crime/Money Laundering Reporting Officer (RBSI, NatWest and Coutts Trustee Company)

  • Supporting the Offshore Head in the provision of strategic advisory support and challenges to th banks International Businesses across the Offshore Region. Providing technical/advisory lead on Financial Crime related matters for the Jersey business. Fulfil the role of MLRO/Primary Nominated Officer for the Jersey business and leads on specific Financial Crime related projects and initiatives. Working closely with the MLCO. Responsibilities for managing RBSI Offshore Financial Crime Teams across Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Gibraltar and Luxembourg. Responsibilities for ensuring compliance with local regulations for each jurisdiction in respect of Retail and Commercial Banking, Trust and Fund Management for RBS International brands. Key projects supported include CCD pathway, Funds Reliance Policy and remediation programmes. Key regulatory upstream regulation has been a key feature along with reviewing all AML related policies to align to RBS Group and the introduction of mandatory procedures across the business areas. Working extensively with the first line business areas has been extensive. Instrumental in developing and rolling out a new enhanced Training and Competence Scheme across the bank’s Conduct and Regulatory Affairs function, which includes Assurance, Compliance Advisory and Financial Crime. High Risk Accounts and PEP annual reviews have been a key feature over the last 12 months in line with the bank’s risk appetite.
  • Achievements and successes - Relationship Management, Risk Assessment, Communication, Project Management, Team Management and having the enthusiasm from being self-motivated, confident and disciplined to complete all tasks in a timely manner have been key attributes during this period.

April 2014 - October 2014

Banking

Interim Head of Compliance and Financial Crime

  • Achievements and successes – Introduced new risk, compliance and financial crime framework.
  • Heading up a team of 8 split between Compliance and Financial Crime. Two key responsibilities, to provide compliance advice and guidance to the business, and to take day-to-day responsibilities for Financial Crime across the business reporting into the group MLRO. A key part of the role is to influence and inform members of the senior management team to encourage the embedding of Conduct Risk and TCF culture across the organisation.

November 2013 – April 2014

Banking

Interim Head of Topaz Compliance, Markets and International Banking

  • Achievements and successes – Built and embedded new regulatory team, improved performance of mortgage portfolio in conjunction with outsourced function.
  • Responsibilities for managing the risk and compliance of several mortgage portfolios that were acquired by RBS in 2006/7 and are currently subject to an outsourcing servicing agreement with HML. Heading up a team of compliance professionals ensuring that robust frameworks exist to meet with regulatory obligations and conduct risk. Providing advice to the HML oversight team where appropriate and play a key role in the compliance governance with HML. Ensuring a comprehensive compliance monitoring programme is effectively managed. Provide the Board and Senior Management with advice on known and emerging regulatory risks that may impact the future strategy for Topaz. Provide expertise and advice on regulatory matters that align with RBS Group Policy, and to deliver fair outcomes for our customers. Leading the Mortgage Market Review and Interest-Only strategy for Topaz. Held Responsibility for the supervisory relationship with the FCA.

November 2012 to November 2013

Banking

Interim Head of Compliance, Business and Commercial, Corporate Banking Division

  • Achievements and successes – Developed high-performing team of 22, instrumental in new target operating model for the function.
  • Responsible for a team of 22 Risk and Compliance staff working across multiple sites within the UK. The team has a broad risk and compliance remit split into a number of strategic areas to deliver compliance and risk support to business management and to ensure that significant regulatory risks are identified and managed. These areas include Operational Compliance and Conduct Risk, Change Management, Compliance Monitoring and Assurance, Regulatory Development and Regulatory Affairs. Responsible for the implementation and embedding of the Conduct Risk Management Framework Programme across the Commercial and Business Banking Division. Instrumental in the roll-out of the RBS new target-operating model for regulatory compliance in conjunction with external consultants.

PREVIOUS ROLES:

  • Various Compliance and Financial Crime regulated roles between 2000 and 2012.

EDUCATION:

Community College

A Levels | 8 O Levels

CERTIFICATIONS:

  • STEP Certificate in International Trust Management
  • Financial Planning Certificate (FPC) Qualified
  • Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP) Qualified
  • Certificate in Building Society Practice
  • Diploma in Residential Lending
  • Studying for ICA AML Diploma

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

  • JFSC/FCA/CBI Workshops
  • Networks
  • Training & Competence
  • Complaint Handling
  • Financial Promotions
  • Member of JCOA
  • Responsible Lending
  • Treating Customers Fairly
  • Financial Crime MLRO
  • Regulatory Conferences
  • Conduct Risk industry events
  • Performance Management
  • Supervisory Skills
  • Financial Accounting
  • Fund Management
  • Determined to Lead Management Programme.

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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