Head of Compliance & MLRO

• Mar 2021 - Present

Manage companywide compliance with regulations and act as an Approved Person for the prevention of ML.Represent the firm to all external agencies, including the FCA, the NCA, and in any other third-party enquiries related to ML prevention, investigation or compliance. Took ownership of the company’s AEMI application and Crypto Application with the FCA and fully updated documentation. Created and maintained, in line with evolving statutory and regulatory obligations, company policies for: AML/CTF; PEPs and Sanctions; ABC; Outsourcing/Partners; and Governance. Worked with the board of directors to eliminate ML/TF risks by establishing and maintaining appropriate RBA processes. Developed an effective customer onboarding and verification structure. Implemented a real time transaction monitoring system. Secured arrangements with the leading compliance software providers for strong AML/CTF screening. Conduct full customer risk assessment process, prepare and deliver the MLRO Biannual Report for the board of directors. Develop and deliver successful companywide training. Implement a structured SAR policy system, which ensures that all internal SARs are investigated without delay and that a SAR is submitted to the NCA regarding all suspicions that have substance. Key Contributions:- Delivered full updates on the AEMI and Crypto (5MLD) application with the FCA. - Developed AML/CTF, Governance, RBA, PEPs and Sanctions and ABC and Outsourcing policies. - Implemented robust systems and controls for onboarding and transaction monitoring including crypto transactions. - Evaluated, re-designed and implemented RBA, both for the clients, vendors and partners. - Established effective SAR procedures and reporting system. - Identified and prevented fraud risks. - Built strong relationships with the FCA and industry leaders in compliance, crypto compliance, software development. - Developed and delivered ML/TF training for the board and company employees.

Head of Onboarding Department – Compliance and Operations

• Oct 2018 - Feb 2021

Managed onboarding and compliance systems in accordance with regulatory standards.Collaborated with legal, compliance and sales teams for securing successful onboarding and renewal of ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNW) and respective companies. Ensured regulatory compliance of onboarding processes and assessed risks to maintain quality standards. Increased department efficiency in KYC, AML, due diligence, and unwrapping complex company structures to obtain optimum outcomes. Administer governance and compliance, PEPs and sanction screening, as well as anti-bribery and corruption screening as essential aspects of the company’s operations. Screened and superviseed clients, UBOs, ownership and trading activities to uphold compliance with relevant sanctions, including OFAC, FCA, MFSA, and HMRC. Prepared and presented comprehensive status report to update senior management on ML/TF risks. Coordinate due diligence portal such as World Check and Lexis Nexis to ascertain business prospects. Key Contributions:- Achieved 30% reduction in onboarding time by introducing the use of pre-screening methods and new technologies.- Delivered strategic leadership and encouraged multinational team of eight to attain set goals.- Arranged effective training and developed programmes for sales personnel to boost knowledge and performance while preparing training material and providing regulatory updates.- Build and strengthen long-term professional relationships with partner banks across UK, USA, and Europe, improving company’s compliance status and onboarding and ML/TF preventing procedures.- Spearheaded and completed projects of digitalisation in onboarding procedures, such as facial ID recognition to promote efficient modernised methods of recruitment and induction.- Developed AML/CTF and risk-based assessment policies in close collaboration with MLRO to produce new onboarding handbook.

Transaction and Compliance Manager

• Jan 2017 - Oct 2018

Co-operated with finance and compliance teams and conducted AML checks by analysing information.Supervised transactions, including ascertaining and reporting potential ML and fraud instances to ensure compliance with regulations and legitimacy of client’s investment and funds. Delivered expert-level guidance to sales staff on standard and enhanced due diligence KYC documentation requirements. Monitored PEP and negative media escalations and analysed complex transaction reports and data to mitigate risks. Key Contributions:• Introduced digitalisation of documentation before GDPR to protect confidential data.• Created and managed new onboarding and compliance database to store all client data and send notifications.• Maintained accuracy of client due diligence records as per international best practice standards.

Sales and Marketing Manager

• Nov 2013 - Sep 2015

Managed sales team and product range to maintain excellent customer service.Developed marketing content, such as email campaigns and webpages to improve online presence of company. Established and fostered long-lasting business relationships with current and new potential customers for repeat business. Provided top-notch customer service and trained the sales team to improve performance and sales growth.Key Contribution:• Raised company’s income by increasing number of partnerships by two-fold.

Database Administrator

• Aug 2013 - Oct 2013

Transactions Executive

• Aug 2012 - May 2013