Risk & Compliance Officer

• Jan 2022 - Present

Operational Risk & Business Continuity Manager

• Jul 2019 - Jan 2022

I successfully implemented an effective Operational Risk framework in the UK and Ireland markets. I identified significant gaps in the previous Op Risk framework and ensured these were addressed. I have embedded Operational Risk within the culture of the business. I have valuable experience in Stakeholder Management and oversee Op Risk Delegates to identify, mitigate and control operational risks, preventing and minimising financial losses and reputational damage. I work closely with the HQ risk team and use my interpersonal skills to build and maintain effective working relationships centrally and locally. I regularly present to both the UK and Ireland National Risk Committees.I implemented a robust Business Continuity Management (BCM) system in the UK. I work closely with other BMW Group stakeholders and IT colleagues, enabling BMW Financial Services to provide a high standard of continuity of service to its regulated customers in the event of a crisis or business disruption. Responsibilities:• Steering the UK and IE National Risk Committees in the management and control of risks. • Planning and coordination of the annual Op Risk Repeat Cycle and the reporting of the results to relevant stakeholders. • Oversight and support of 26 Op Risk Delegates. I also work closely with Compliance, Strategic Provider Management, Internal Controls, Quality Assurance, Project Management Office, Audit and IT to ensure accurate identification and reporting of Risks.• Establishing and monitoring policies, procedures and controls within the business.• Responsible for the development and management of an effective BCM system. • Coordinator of the SF1-UK Local Crisis Management Team, I provide assistance and direction during training for emergency events, including: supporting emergency communications, preparing and distributing status updates, guiding decision-making, ensuring execution of action items, maintaining an incident log, and creating post-incident reports. Show less

Human Resources Specialist

• Oct 2018 - Jul 2019

Working within the Human Resources team on a secondment provided a valuable opportunity to gain experience of the business from a completely different perspective. I supported with salary and bonus planning for the UK and Ireland. As the Financial Services representative of the Remuneration & Benefits Working Group, I worked on a number of compensation initiatives: I gathered and submitted data for external salary benchmarking surveys; was project lead for a Shared Parental Leave initiative and supported other projects relating to gender pay gap reporting; alternative bonus schemes; choices benefit packages; and total rewards statements. I enjoyed working on Diversity and Inclusion topics and supported delivery of Inclusive Leadership training to all senior and people leaders. I worked with senior leaders to sign-up BMW Financial Services to the H.M. Treasury Women in Finance Charter, pledging to support women in leadership and to address our gender pay gap. I actively supported the D&I Network Groups and provided secretarial support to the D&I Steer Co. I was a member of the Pensions Working Group and enjoyed attending employment law workshops run by external legal advisors. I supported with Recruitment and assisted with Intern Assessment Centres. I also acted as HR support for internal disciplinary investigations. I took the HR lead on the implementation of the FCA Senior Managers & Certification Regime within BMW Financial Services and worked closely with the project manager, Compliance, Legal, Alphabet, and external advisors to ensure the regime was effectively embedded within the culture of the business, relevant policies and procedures. I carried out research and worked with Compliance to make a recommendation to the UK Management Committee regarding the introduction of criminal record checks for associates within BMW Financial Services to ensure the background checks we conduct comply with FCA recommendations. Show less

Operational Communications & Insight Manager

• Nov 2017 - Oct 2018

During my secondment to Operations I was responsible for the management and oversight of all customer communications including regulatory documents. Works closely with Legal, Compliance and Marketing teams to ensure communications are clear, fair and not misleading and are compliant with Consumer Credit Act requirements. Work closely with the outsourced Customer Interaction Centre teams and oversees the Printing & Fulfilment function. Responsibe for Customer Insight and management of BMW Financial Services customer survey programme. Ensures customer insight is fed back into the Business to drive improvements, efficiencies and an enhanced customer experience. Leads a small team and manages relationships with three external providers. Business owner for customer online portals enabling the self service management of financial agreements. Show less

Operational Risk & Business Continuity Manager

• Apr 2015 - Nov 2017

I successfully implemented an effective Operational Risk framework in the UK and Ireland markets. I identified significant gaps in the previous Op Risk framework and ensured these were addressed. I have embedded Operational Risk within the culture of the business. I have valuable experience in Stakeholder Management and oversee Op Risk Delegates to identify, mitigate and control operational risks, preventing and minimising financial losses and reputational damage. I work closely with the HQ risk team and use my interpersonal skills to build and maintain effective working relationships centrally and locally. I regularly present to both the UK and Ireland National Risk Committees.I implemented a robust Business Continuity Management (BCM) system in the UK. I work closely with other BMW Group stakeholders and IT colleagues, enabling BMW Financial Services to provide a high standard of continuity of service to its regulated customers in the event of a crisis or business disruption. Responsibilities:• Steering the UK and IE National Risk Committees in the management and control of risks. • Planning and coordination of the annual Op Risk Repeat Cycle and the reporting of the results to relevant stakeholders. • Oversight and support of 26 Op Risk Delegates. I also work closely with Compliance, Strategic Provider Management, Internal Controls, Quality Assurance, Project Management Office, Audit and IT to ensure accurate identification and reporting of Risks.• Establishing and monitoring policies, procedures and controls within the business.• Responsible for the development and management of an effective BCM system. • Coordinator of the SF1-UK Local Crisis Management Team, I provide assistance and direction during training for emergency events, including: supporting emergency communications, preparing and distributing status updates, guiding decision-making, ensuring execution of action items, maintaining an incident log, and creating post-incident reports. Show less

Criminal Investigator

• Mar 2001 - Mar 2015

I was responsible for preventing significant loss of revenue over the 13 years that I worked at H.M. Revenue & Customs (HMRC). I worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to secure criminal convictions and liaised regularly with external Government sources and financial institutions. I enjoyed coordinating teams of up to 15 people during live operational activity such as arrests, execution of search warrants and surveillance deployments. In June 2011, I received a Directors Award for Outstanding Achievement in Criminal Investigation, as the Case Officer of a complex and demanding 3 year investigation, whereby my continued determination and attention to detail resulted in a successful criminal trial and guilty verdict. I developed excellent communication skills due to constantly presenting evidence at court and delivering verbal briefings to operational teams. I also have excellent analytical skills from analysing data and intelligence to enhance investigations. I was responsible for the end-to-end process of individual cases, carrying out various background and financial checks, gathering evidence, obtaining court orders, liaising with the CPS, managing surveillance operations, arrests and searches, resulting in criminal prosecutions. I was an accredited Financial Investigator and conducted financial investigations in order to identify, restrain and confiscate illegally obtained assets. I have excellent written communication skills and regularly composed detailed reports for the CPS and drafted detailed applications when applying for court orders which enabled HMRC to benefit from their extensive legal powers. I investigated people and organised criminal groups in line with HMRC strategies and policies. I worked cost effectively and efficiently, ensuring that data security, diversity and equality considerations were practised. I previously had Government security clearance to SC Level. Show less

Community Service Officer

• 1999 - 2001