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

00023735

EDUCATION:

• BSc Finance, Money & Banking – 2:1 Honours
• CISI Level 6 Diploma in Investment Compliance
• CISI Level 3 Certificate in Investment Operations
• CISI Level 3 Award in Global Financial Compliance
• CFA Unit 1 – Investment Management and Advice (UK context)

CAREER HISTORY:

November 2018 – March 2025

Tier 1 Bank

Senior Compliance Specialist

Regulatory Mapping Project

• Participated in building a comprehensive inventory of laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the entities in EMEA.
• Partnered with senior stakeholders and subject matter experts to confirm jurisdiction-specific applicability of regulatory topics. Collaborated with Enterprise Risk Management teams to define project templates, expectations, milestones, and regional governance structures.
• Conducted impact assessments to identify affected business lines, products, services, and operational activities.
• Interpreted and analysed regulatory requirements, assessed their relevance to products and services, and advised stakeholders on their application across EMEA entities.
• Acted as the primary point of contact for assigned regulatory themes, engaging with senior stakeholders to validate interpretations, align on obligations, and coordinate implementation planning.
• Provided effective challenge on the applicability of regulatory obligations and the adequacy of existing controls and worked with relevant stakeholder to create controls where gaps were identified.
• Facilitated control mapping to regulatory obligations, enabling end-to-end traceability and strengthening the overall compliance framework.
• Participated in governance meetings and project steering forums, contributing subject matter expertise and insights to drive progress.
• Maintained and communicated regular status updates on project milestones, including training delivery, stakeholder workshops, control mapping, and resolution of corrective actions.

Governance and Regulatory Oversight

• Led periodic governance reporting of the EMEA legal entities, ensuring timely and accurate submissions to various Committees.
• Coordinated input from international and local stakeholders to develop high-quality materials.
• Proactively tracked and monitored actions arising from governance forums, ensuring timely resolution and effective oversight.
• Identified and implemented enhancements to the governance reporting process, improving the efficiency, consistency, and quality of reporting outputs and supporting documentation.
• Managed the annual Compliance Planned Activity process, including input coordination, output review and challenge, MI production, and the identification of automation opportunities to streamline delivery.
• Maintained ownership of FCA-related regulatory submissions, ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements and internal standards.
• Developed, implemented, and maintained key compliance policies and procedures, offering guidance and advice on regulatory requirements across Markets and Private side businesses.
• Provided operational and strategic support for Compliance transformation initiatives, driving continuous improvement across key processes and frameworks.
• Built and maintained strong working relationships with stakeholders across all three lines of defense, promoting effective governance and collaborative risk management.

Senior Manager & Certification Regime (SMCR)

• Executed end-to-end SMCR processes, including Senior Manager Function (SMF) application documents such as Handover Certificates, Management Responsibility Maps, Statements of Responsibility, Training Plan.
• Oversaw the Certification Regime lifecycle, including certification issuance, annual Fitness & Propriety assessments, and delivery of face-to-face Conduct Rules training.
• Developed and maintained key governance documents and frameworks, such as the SMCR Policy, Fitness & Propriety Procedures, Certification Process procedures, Knowledge & Competence Policy and Reasonable Steps.
• Led and project managed the “Move the Line” initiative to transfer and enhance SMCR process to the first line.
• Established and led the SMCR Working Group, focused on strengthening SMCR governance, improving process effectiveness, and embedding regulatory expectations into business practices.
• Built strong and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders across Compliance, HR, Legal, and the Front Office and provided regulatory advice on SMCR-related matters.
• Tracked delivery of key milestones, produced MI for the SMCR working group and monthly Compliance leadership forums.
• Supported Regulatory Relations in responding to regulatory queries and submissions linked to SMCR compliance and assurance activities.

International Testing & Validation

• Led the execution of assigned testing activities, evaluating the design adequacy and operating effectiveness of relevant controls.
• Drafted comprehensive test scripts and executed fieldwork in line with internal methodology and regulatory requirements.
• Supervised and coached team members, ensuring testing activities were completed to a high standard and within required timelines.
• Built and maintained consistent engagement with stakeholders, delivering clear and concise updates, proactively escalated obstacles, and collaborated with stakeholders to resolve issues. Delivered testing reports to stakeholders, presenting key findings and influencing remediation strategies.
• Engaged with the Quality Assurance team to ensure review meets the required standard.

October 2017 – August 2018

Tier 1 Bank

Senior Regulatory Control Advisor

• Scoped assigned testing activities and prepared detailed feasibility and scoping documentation, ensuring alignment with objectives.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to define the scope and approach of reviews, facilitating early identification and escalation of potential issues or concerns.
• Conducted comprehensive risk assessments to identify key risks, existing controls and designed and executed effective control testing strategies based on assessed risks.
• Performed detailed assessments of control design and operational effectiveness, identified gaps and worked with stakeholders to agree appropriate remedial actions.
• Ensured all testing activities, findings, and outcomes are accurately documented and effectively communicated to relevant stakeholders, maintaining a clear audit trail and supporting governance oversight.

November 2012 – October 2017

Tier 1 Bank

Compliance Officer

Advisory and Control Room

• Managed Control Room activities such as maintenance of insider lists, watch and restricted lists, and conflict of interest clearance and management. Facilitated wall crossings and created market sounding scripts ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Developed updated policies and procedures to ensure alignment with both local and global regulatory requirements.
• Managed areas such as Outside Business Affiliation, Breaches & Complaints, Compliance training, and the annual training plan.
• Played a key role in advising on new business initiatives, regulatory changes, and policy updates, enhancing firm-wide compliance readiness.
• Delivered timely interpretation and guidance on internal Compliance policies/procedures and regulations in response to ad hoc inquiries.
• Provided subject matter expertise and advice on business initiatives, regulatory developments, policy updates, training programs, and monitoring and surveillance escalations.
• Engaged in regulatory horizon scanning to stay up to date with evolving regulatory changes and developments. Reviewed applicability to the business and provided summaries of relevant publications to stakeholders for further discussion and action.

Monitoring

• Executed comprehensive compliance monitoring plan covering a wide range of areas, including Conflict of Interest (COI), Gifts & Entertainment (G&E), Alpha Capture, Fraud, Wall Crossings, PAD, Insider Dealing, Market Abuse, MNPI management, Financial Promotions, Best Execution, Investment Research, and Licensing & Permissions.
• Conducted transaction reporting monitoring, reviewed data alerts in Unavista, and collaborated with relevant business areas to ensure timely resolution of issues.
• Produced and presented monthly Management Information (MI) reports and Conduct Risk MI to Senior Managers providing key insights and recommendations.
• Provided expert advice on regulatory compliance matters across lines of businesses working closely with the front office and engaging with key stakeholders.
• Managed and oversaw the FCA Approved Persons and SMCR process to ensure regulatory adherence.

Surveillance

• Monitored phone, email, and chatroom communications to ensure compliance with regulatory permissions, identified and investigated potential breaches.
• Conducted daily trade surveillance using the Bloomberg BTCA system, covering a wide range of products, including equities, fixed income, and FX, to identify and address compliance issues.
• Investigated and resolved alerts generated during trade surveillance, drafting and submitting Suspicious Transaction and Order Reports (STORs) as needed to ensure timely reporting to the relevant authorities.
• Collaborated in the creation and enhancement of controls, surveillance procedures, and record-keeping practices for monitoring individual banker activities, ensuring robust oversight of their compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Investigated and resolved escalation alerts arising from Surveillance activities as well as self-escalations submitted by front and middle office personnel.

Financial Crime Risk Management

• Oversaw and approved client onboarding (KYC and CDD) checks, ensuring timely and effective completion and periodic reviews.
• Managed client classification processes and coordinated the issuance of MiFID II notification letters.
• Executed the Financial Crime Monitoring Plan, covering Anti-Money Laundering (AML), fraud, sanctions, and anti-bribery and corruption (ABC) frameworks.
• Reviewed and escalated Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) in accordance with regulatory requirements.

August 2010 – October 2012

Asset Management

Transfer Agency Analyst

• Performed KYC/AML due diligence and investor onboarding checks.
• Executed transactions and managed general investor servicing duties.
• General investor administration.

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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