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

00245084

PROFILE:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GOVERNANCE AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

With over 20 years of experience in governance, compliance, and regulatory oversight within the financial services sector, Carolina has developed a deep expertise in managing regulatory frameworks, advising senior stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with FCA and PRA requirements. Her career spans leadership roles in compliance and governance, in which she successfully led regulatory change initiatives, designed and executed risk management strategies, and fostered a strong compliance culture. A strategic thinker, highly skilled in managing cross-functional teams, driving compliance, and providing clear guidance on regulatory developments.

SKILLS:

• Compliance Advisory & Risk Management: Extensive experience in advising business units and senior managers on compliance risks, regulatory developments, and governance structures, offering clear guidance on PRA and FCA regulatory requirements and expectations including, SMCR, Culture and D&I, operational risk, model risk management amongst others.
• Regulatory Liaison: Strong track record in engaging with regulators to address compliance expectations, regulatory reporting, and adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Regulatory Compliance Oversight: Successfully led compliance projects ensuring that businesses meet regulatory requirements.
• Stakeholder & Team Management: Recruited, built and trained high-performing, cross-functional teams and worked closely with regulators, executives, board members and compliance professionals to drive proactive compliance and engagement.
• Training & Culture: Played a central role in fostering a strong compliance culture by delivering compliance training programmes and reviewing compliance policies. Ensured senior managers at SMBC were well-versed in their regulatory responsibilities, enhancing compliance awareness across the organisation.
• Regulatory Compliance Management: Proven ability to oversee compliance frameworks, ensuring alignment with UK regulatory standards, particularly FCA and PRA requirements.
• Compliance Monitoring & Projects: My experience includes leading compliance monitoring programmes and developing reporting frameworks to enhance transparency. At Prudential, I improved compliance reporting accuracy, as well as ensuring that key governance risks were identified and addressed effectively.
• Board & Governance Reviews – Conducted board evaluation and governance reviews for FTSE 100 firms, ensuring compliance with financial services regulations.
• Internal Audits & Compliance – Delivered internal audits for financial services firms on governance, systems of governance, and regulatory compliance.

CAREER HISTORY:

March 2019–May 2024

Banking

Executive Director/Head of Senior Managers Regime

• Led the strategic overhaul of the SMCR framework across all legal entities, improving compliance efficiency and ensuring full regulatory alignment with FCA and PRA requirements.
• Advised and executed the implementation of a new governance structure, streamlining board structures and enhancing accountability, to align with the new CIB model
• Established and managed a high-performing SMR advisory team, reducing compliance breaches through enhanced oversight and governance controls.
• Developed and enforced a risk management framework that reduced SMCR-related incidents, strengthening regulatory compliance.
• Developed and provided training and regulatory advice to all Senior Managers in respect of the regime and any other regulations applicable to their area of responsibility. Identifying emerging compliance regulatory themes and SMCR impacts

May 2018–March 2019

Insurance

Senior Manager Regulatory Change & Compliance Reporting

• Leading the implementation and management of SMCR for Prudential plc.
• Leading the coordination and production of Group Compliance Reporting to the relevant Board Committees as required.
• Identified and streamlined compliance processes, reducing manual efforts and improving operational efficiency across Business Units and Prudential Group Services

July 2014–May 2018

Financial Services

Governance Management Consultant

• Led internal audits in the risk, compliance and governance area including SMCR for insurers, banks and other FS institutions
• Advised and implemented the governance structure for a new division of a UK FTSE 100 insurer, advising executives on the regulatory implications, revisions to the Governance Map, and implementing human capital related changes such as new role profiles and delegated authorities, as well as review of Board Committee’s Terms of Reference
• Review and implementation of Target Operating Models for Risk Management, Compliance and Internal Audit departments
• Ring-fencing governance arrangements reviews.
• Performance of Board & Committees Effectiveness reviews for banks, insurers and other FS firms
• Day to day lead for the review, design, implementation and embedding of the SIMR requirements for a UK FTSE 100 insurer, support to other smaller insurers and the SMCR for tier I and II Banks

August 2013–June 2014: Project Manager, Extension and Refurbishment of Home

November 2012–July 2013: Project Manager, SSI (Sustainable Shipping Initiative)

May 2012–November 2012: WWF -Marine PM/Consultant (Secondment RSA to WWF)

September 2010–May 2012: RSA - Strategy & Marketing Manager, Marine

November 2007–September 2010: RSA, European Commercial Business Consultant

Delivered change and project management initiatives: opening new branch in Madrid; developing manufacturing proposition from market insight through to design and implementation; Cultural Change Programme.

May 2004–November 2007: RSA–Marketing Executive/Customer Research Consultant

July 2000–May 2004: RSA – Financial Comms & Investor Relations Co-ordinator

July 1999 – July 2000: Freelance Language Teacher

September 1997 – June 1999: RUIZ Associates – Lawyer and Legal advisor in Madrid

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:

• BA Hons Law and CPE, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid 1991–1996
• Marketing Diploma, The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Bromley College 2005–2007
• Prince 2 qualifications – 2010
• Bilingual in Spanish and English

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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