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

00356459

PROFILE:

Trade Finance Expert with a proven track record in managing end-to-end trade finance activities, driving change management strategies, and leading innovative product development initiatives. Possesses diversified experience in steering successful business ventures within Global Transaction Services (GTS) by designing and implementing robust operating models that enhance efficiency and profitability.

SKILLS:

• Skilled in developing and executing strategies while managing relationships with clients to drive business growth.
• Strong business acumen across corporate banking products, with deep expertise in trade finance solutions (Letters of Credit, Letter of Guarantees, Documentary collections, LC Discounting)
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stake- holders to achieve organizational objectives.
• Extensive experience in client engagement and business development, with working knowledge of trade products, industry standards, and applicable rules and regulations.
• Demonstrated capability to design creative, flexible, and client-centric solutions in a dynamic and evolving industry environment.

CAREER HISTORY:

May 2023 – Present

Banking

Head, Trade Finance Operations

• Lead the Trade Finance Operations team to ensure seamless transaction execution, service quality and operational efficiency.
• Partner with Client Relationship teams to deliver revenue and activity targets, ensuring client strategies and utilization goals are met.
• Present tailored solutions by aligning customer needs with product capabilities and understanding client businesses.
• Maintain proactive client engagement to drive portfolio utilization and strengthen relationships.
• Monitor market trends and customer needs to identify opportunities for product enhancements and leverage operational capabilities.
• Drive a consistent approach to AML and financial crime risk management across Trade Finance Operations, with expertise in risks related to Correspondent Banks.
• Oversee operational risk reviews, monitor KRIs, and ensure adherence to internal control frameworks, escalating and remediating deviations promptly.

April 2018 – April 2023

Banking

Head, Trade & Financial Institutions

• Repositioned the Bank’s trade finance business, building a portfolio worth $1.3 billion within four years.
• Implemented changes to the product delivery model, introducing automation and efficiency enhancements to meet evolving customer and business needs.
• Established a culture of financial discipline and operational resilience through strategic business model repositioning.
• Developed effective strategies to identify new opportunities and onboard new-to-Bank customers, driving sustainable growth.
• Strengthened risk management and compliance frameworks, ensuring sound judgment in business origination and product suitability.

October 2017– March 2018

Transition between the jobs

July 2015– September 2017

Banking

Subject Matter Expert -Trade Transformation Project (Contractor)

• Played a pivotal role as Subject Matter Expert in upgrading the Trade Services platform, delivering streamlined processes that improved operational efficiency and enhanced customer experience.
• Successfully eliminated manual workarounds for structured products by implementing end-to-end processing capabilities, reducing errors and turnaround times.
• Ensured full alignment of policies and procedures with regulatory requirements, strengthening sanctions screening and AML controls across the transaction lifecycle.
• Modernized customer onboarding for electronic channels by reviewing and updating documentation, including product Terms and Conditions, improving client adoption and satisfaction.
• Coordinated cross-functional efforts to integrate credit, compliance, and regulatory pro- cesses, minimizing operational risks and ensuring robust governance.

January 2013– June 2015

Investment Banking

Head, Transaction Services

• Delivered a new operating model aligned with the Bank’s strategic objectives, streamlining trade finance operations and improving efficiency.
• Equipped Relationship Managers with product structuring expertise and competitive in- sights, driving client acquisition and revenue growth.
• Secured approvals for new business and products by coordinating with Risk, Compliance, and Legal teams, mitigating credit and regulatory risks.
• Led the successful rollout and marketing of the Bank’s trade channel (Misys Client Portal), enhancing customer experience and adoption of digital solutions.

April 2011 – December 2012

Banking

Head, FI Trade Market Management & Sales Advisory - EMEA

• Designed and executed a revenue growth strategy for the FI Sales team, identifying new product opportunities within Transaction Banking.
• Partnered with FI Sales to increase revenues from Financial Institutions by leveraging holistic relationship management.
• Delivered initiatives such as SWIFT loans and Promissory Note financing, boosting the Bank’s trade business share in the region.
• Continuously enhanced product features to anticipate regulatory changes, maintaining high standards for terms and conditions.

May 2010 to April 2011

Banking

Executive Director, Treasury Services

• Successfully set up the trade finance business and processing unit in the Riyadh branch, delivering structured trade products to corporate and FI clients.
• Managed end-to-end trade finance operations from inception to settlement within SLA guidelines, ensuring efficiency and service excellence.
• Designed and implemented policies and procedures for contract financing, strengthening operational governance in the Kingdom.
• Identified new business opportunities and originated deals in collaboration with Corpo- rate Sales and Global Cash Management teams, driving portfolio expansion.

April 2007 - April 2010

Banking

Vice President, Trade & Channels, GTB

• Managed a team of product managers to expand trade and cash management business through strategic planning and structuring of complex transactions across domestic and international product lines.
• Drove product strategy alignment with stakeholders to strengthen trade finance value proposition and improve receivables/payables tracking for customers.
• Secured large-value deals using a team-based marketing approach in collaboration with Corporate and Correspondent Banking teams.
• Delivered customized workshops and on-site training to enhance client awareness of business practices and support successful product launches.

March 1999 - March 2007

Banking

Head of Trade Finance & Cash Management

• Led a team of product and sales managers to successfully market international trade and cash management products to corporate clients, driving revenue growth.
• Introduced tailor-made solutions in collaboration with the FI team, delivering one-stop
• offerings to meet diverse customer needs.
• Maximized approved credit limits by engaging corporate clients and capturing their complete trade business cycle.
• Oversaw staff training, development, and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Negotiated and supervised the upgrade of the trade platform and channel with China Systems, enhancing operational efficiency and client experience.

January 1995 – March 1999

Financial Services

Head of Trade Finance Operations

• Managed the Trade Finance department, overseeing processing of complex products including countertrade and pre/post-shipment financing.
• Successfully managed the settlement of $750 million Iranian debts in the UK under a mandate from The Central Bank of Iran to CSFB.
• Established procedures and workflows for commodity trade finance activities, incorporating mark-to-market collateral management.
• Led the successful implementation of the CREDOC trade platform (MIT Lausanne) in the London branch, enhancing operational efficiency and compliance.

February 1986 - December 1994

Banking

Vice President, Head of Trade and Credit Administration Operations

• Managed Trade Operations for processing a wide range of trade products, including commodities, receivables, and stock financing.
• Negotiated and documented pre-financing facilities for export entities based on off-take contracts related to oil shipments.
• Streamlined workflows for banking product processing and supervised automation of the operating system, improving efficiency and reducing turnaround times.

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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