United Kingdom
A dynamic and practiced audit and risk management specialist with extensive experience in both internal and external audit, risk assurance and transformation, whistleblowing and fraud assessment frameworks, GDPR and data management, and governance. I have worked as an auditor and risk manager for 20 years. In addition to the depth and breadth of my personal skillset, I also have maintained my passion for assessing new contexts with the aim of improving risk management controls, transparency, and effective oversight. I am an individual with a high degree of self-motivation and a strong work ethic. Additionally, I enjoy working with people from a variety of backgrounds and skillsets, from collaborating with junior colleagues and capacity building, to budget management, planning and critical assessment of priorities with trustees, and senior management teams.
Enhancing an elementary risk and assurance framework with sustainable effective improvements to meet the complex needs of the organisation: • Audit: Responsible for the completion of the annual audit plan across the IPPF secretariat and its c.150 member associations and partners. This required the development of a risk assessment methodology to support the plan composition; the documentation of revised charters and templates in line with best practice and IIA Code; sourcing new external consultants to complete the audits considering the preference for empowering local actors; providing robust quality assurance on final reports; and establishment of effective issue-tracking and reporting for management and trustees. • Risk Management: Leading on critical risk mitigation measures including revision of the organisation’s strategic risk register; creating efficiencies in processes to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering regulations; implementation of revised due diligence practices; robust reassessment of our insurance policies to identify and address gaps; and significant revision of the framework of licences to support activities in broadly sanctioned countries. • Financial Wrongdoing: Close collaboration with colleagues in Safeguarding to triage all allegations reported into the confidential reporting portal. Stewarding financial wrongdoing allegations through their life cycle, from assessment, overseeing fraud investigations, and reporting to trustees, donors, and the Charity Commission, where appropriate. • Fraud Awareness Framework: Design and documentation of clear and accessible policies and guidance for staff on fraud and corruption. The rollout and exception reporting around fraud awareness training including the implementation of mandatory annual refreshers for all staff.
• Internal Audit: Provide strategic leadership and direction to the internal audit function, ensuring internal audit operates effectively and is properly resourced. Develop the Internal Audit annual plan and carry out audits in the UK and internationally. This includes oversight and management of internationally insourced auditors / consultants. • Fraud and Anti-Corruption: Coordinate and carry out local and international fraud investigations. This includes managing the confidential reporting inbox and fraud related whistleblowing reports. • Governance: Advise the Board of Trustees and the Chair of the Board on governance matters in relation to Frontline AIDS. This includes supporting the Board of Trustees in ensuring all reports and filings are produced and filed timely and that we develop governance in line with the Charity Governance Code and in line with good practice of partnerships working on international development.
A hugely transformative role that designed and implemented a robust, effective, and sustainable audit and risk management framework across the organisation. The role was the first such role in War Child and required a broad and thoroughly robust risk assessment of activities, advocating on the role and benefits of internal audit to stakeholders, and working with senior management and trustees to establish critical reporting requirements. • Internal Audit: Implementation of organisation’s first internal audit function, which required designing an effective audit framework with supporting Charter, terms of reference, and management reporting. Completion of complex audit assignments in Afghanistan, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Jordan, and Yemen across a broad range of areas including financial controls, governance, safeguarding, procurement, and data management. • Fraud Awareness and Investigations: Design and rollout of a fraud reporting and management framework, including the consideration of the needs for confidentiality, segregation, and subject matter expertise. Lead investigator for fraud and other serious allegations both in the UK and overseas. Use of tact, discretion, and sensitivity in ensuring sufficient support is given to whistleblowers whilst also ensuring all allegations are thoroughly addressed. • Data Management: Data Protection Officer for the organisation responsible for policy maintenance, business continuity supervision and the comprehensive embedding of GDPR and responsible data management practices across the organisation. • Compliance: Line management of Fundraising Compliance Manager, which required expertise in regulation and best practice, as well as first-class knowledge in key areas including major donors, philanthropy, corporate partnership, public fundraising, and digital initiatives.
• Transformed risk management through the implementation of an operational risk team within this multiregional investment management firm. This included establishing (and chairing) a new Operational Risk Committee. • Robust risk assessment of a multitude of operational areas including outsourced activities and third-party companies across a number of jurisdictions including UK, Republic of Ireland, and the EU (France, Luxembourg, Belgium). • Management of the operational impact of a merger with another European fund manager (across the period of the Brexit vote) including the completion of rapid risk impact assessments and development of effective solutions.
Planned, executed, and reported on audits completed across the business including assessments of the Investment Grade and High Yield Fixed Income trading desks, the Marketing division, and client investment guidelines monitoring teams.