Open to opportunities

tamara abu

@tamaraabu

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Highly accomplished Compliance and Financial Crime Risk Leader.

United Kingdom

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What I'm looking for

I am looking for a role that fosters a strong compliance culture and offers opportunities for professional growth.

I am a highly accomplished Compliance and Financial Crime Risk Leader with deep expertise in fintech, digital assets, and global payments. With an MBA and CAMS certification, I have a proven track record of designing and implementing enterprise-wide compliance frameworks that promote scalability, consistency, and regulatory alignment. My experience spans building and managing global compliance programs, ensuring effective audit and regulatory engagement, and transforming data governance into robust systems that enhance risk management.

Throughout my career, I have successfully led initiatives to strengthen financial crime risk governance and compliance processes, achieving significant reductions in risk exposure and improving data quality. I excel in partnering cross-functionally to drive a strong culture of compliance, delivering measurable training outcomes, and maintaining effective oversight of compliance-related incidents. My commitment to continuous improvement and strategic problem-solving has consistently empowered organizations to stay ahead of evolving regulatory requirements.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Enterprise Compliance Program Lead

Current

Blockchain.com

Feb 2025 - Present (6 months)

Designed and implemented enterprise-wide compliance frameworks, ensuring scalability, consistency, and alignment with evolving regulatory requirements in crypto and payments. Managed the full lifecycle of compliance policies, including drafting, review, approval, and periodic updates.

Regulatory Compliance Policy Management Risk Based Monitoring Horizon Scanning Cross Functional Collaboration

Senior Compliance Manager

Worldpay

Jan 2022 - Present (3 years 7 months)

Led key initiatives to strengthen financial crime risk governance and compliance processes, transforming risk assessments and data governance to ensure strict adherence to regulatory requirements. Oversaw the development and execution of a comprehensive issues management framework and drafted key policies and procedures.

Financial Crime Data Governance Policy Development Risk Assessment Regulatory Compliance Audit Management Stakeholder Engagement AML KYC

Financial Crime Audit Manager

M&G Investment

Aug 2021 - Present (4 years)

Oversaw and ensured the quality of onboarding and remediation work by third-party vendors, with rigorous quality assurance testing to align with internal policies and comply with regulations. Conducted risk assessments for multiple business units, identified and remediated risks, and performed gap analyses on procedures for regulatory compliance.

Quality Assurance Regulatory Compliance Policy Development Gap Analysis Coaching Suspicious Activity Reports Risk Mitigation

Quality Assurance Manager

KPMG

Mar 2021 - Present (4 years 5 months)

Managed quality assurance for financial crime remediation projects, focusing on KYC, sanctions, and transaction monitoring. Collaborated with teams to conduct thematic reviews, ensuring compliance with stringent internal policies and external regulations.

Quality Assurance KYC Sanctions Transaction Monitoring Policy Development Process Improvement Regulatory Compliance Coaching Thematic Reviews

Quality Assurance Manager

HSBC

Oct 2018 - Present (6 years 10 months)

Led quality control efforts for financial crime-related remediation projects, including KYC remediation, enhanced due diligence (EDD), and customer due diligence (CDD). Oversaw the consistent application of regulatory standards and provided in-depth training to case handlers.

Quality Control KYC EDD Regulatory Training And Development Policy Implementation

Client Engagement Manager

WORK180

Jun 2018 - Present (7 years 2 months)

Organised discovery sessions and customer interviews to identify solution requirements. Built and maintained professional relationships with customers and gathered business requirements by successfully engaging various stakeholders.

Client Engagement Requirements Gathering Process Improvement Stakeholder Management Relationship Management Problem Solving

Senior Implementation Project Consultant

Accenture

Mar 2016 - Present (9 years 5 months)

Led multiple high-impact migration projects for corporate clients within the Ring-Fenced Bank framework. Ensured that KYC and SAR processes were aligned with the bank’s regulatory requirements and provided coaching to staff to ensure compliance.

Project Management Regulatory Compliance KYC SAR Processes Solution Design Coaching

Corporate Banking Relationship Manager

Barclays Bank plc

Feb 2013 - Present (12 years 6 months)

Managed and onboarded a portfolio of large corporate clients, providing innovative financial solutions encompassing account management, risk assessment, and credit underwriting. Conducted customer due diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) checks on new client relationships.