Lydney, England, United Kingdom
Financial Crime Specialist with nearly 20 years experience of banking from customer facing, operational to policy & advice expertise in AML/CTF, Sanctions, ABC, and AFTE policy development and risk management. Skilled in horizon scanning, risk assessments, and providing clear guidance to stakeholders at all levels. Experienced in drafting policies, delivering training, and supporting governance forums to ensure robust and compliant financial crime frameworks.
Move to Nationwide as part of their acquisition of Virgin Money. Continuation of my role at Virgin Money, focusing more on Economic Crime Policy.
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Responsible for maintaining and developing economic crime policies and standards, including AML/CTF/CPF, Sanctions, ABC, and FoTE, ensuring alignment with legal, regulatory, and industry requirements. Conduct impact assessments and gap analysis on regulatory changes, prepare updates for governance forums, and provide subject matter expertise across the business. Oversee mandatory eLearning and support role-specific training by reviewing content and offering SME input. Respond to queries from 1LoD and 2LoD stakeholders, review policy exceptions, and contribute to horizon scanning activities. Act as delegate for senior leaders at governance and change forums, supporting the ongoing effectiveness and consistency of the Bank’s economic crime control framework.
Responsible for developing and maintaining AML/CTF, Anti-Bribery & Corruption, and Anti-Facilitation of Tax Evasion policies and standards, ensuring consistent application across 1LoD businesses. Provide support in embedding new requirements and lead 2LoD horizon scanning, lessons-learned activity, and gap analysis to strengthen financial crime frameworks. Prepare reports and presentations for committees and senior stakeholders, maintain mandatory training materials, and act as a reliable point of contact for financial crime-related queries and guidance.
Supported the MLRO in identifying, assessing, and managing AML, CTF, ABC, AFTE, and Sanctions risks across the Society. Responsibilities included leading financial crime risk assessments, drafting and embedding policies, and providing subject matter expertise to stakeholders on local risks and controls. Contributed to the management of financial crime incidents, supported projects to review and monitor risks, and identified emerging threats through horizon scanning, control testing, and ongoing engagement with the business. Delivered tailored training at all levels, investigated whistleblowing cases relating to financial crime, and prepared reports for Senior Management and the Board. Represented the Society at external forums and events to maintain industry awareness and strengthen networks.
Subject Matter Expert for the AML Operations function, providing support, quality checking, training and expert knowledge in high risk customer reviews.