Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Samantha Ahmed

Dubai,UAE

Summary

Strategic leader with expertise in operational excellence and transformational change. Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems and enhance organizational performance. Committed to building high-performance cultures and delivering measurable business outcomes.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Senior Executive Officer

Dova Advisors
Dubai, UAE
06.2025 - 07.2025
  • Leading and managing all functions within the business to provide Advisory services in line with DIFC Laws, Regulations and guideline including AML and CTF.
  • Point of contact for the Business and DIFC Regulatory Bodies; DFSA and DIFC Authorities.
  • Develop and Execute Strategic Growth plans and report day to day operations to Board members.
  • Establish and maintain robust Governance frameworks adapting national and international best practices.
  • Strategic direction and oversight of all projects, change and transformation, managing time, budget, quality and customer satisfaction.
  • Promoting a culture of Integrity, Accountability and ethical behaviours across the business.

Compliance Officer & MLRO

Unitas Client Services
Dubai
04.2025 - 06.2025
  • Providing bespoke tailored Compliance solutions within DIFC and ADGM entities.
  • Advisory services from Authorisation with DFSA and FSRA Regulators to ongoing Compliance Management.
  • AML and Compliance Training programmes, tailored to entity requirements and delivered.
  • All Regulatory Compliance reviews and submissions.
  • Develop, implement and review existing Policies, Procedures and Frameworks in line with UAE regulations.
  • Creating Management Information in line with business requirements.
  • Advisor to Managing Director and Senior Management on business Restructuring and Transformation; Pricing, Packages, Development of Internal policies and Procedures, Gap Analysis, Staffing, Training, etc.

Senior Consultant - Risk and Compliance, Change Management

Capco Consultancy
, UK
11.2022 - 03.2025

Client Delivery - HSBC Bank, Markets and Securities Services Simplification programme.

  • Delivering business consultancy services - Project delivery/ SME Lead role on risk and compliance related client projects and programmes.
  • Project lead supporting Head of Framework and Governance in wrap around Regulatory Transformation programme for Policies and Procedures, Trading controls and Operations.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams for project completion.
  • Spearheaded change management initiatives resulting in smoother transitions during organisational restructuring.
  • Mapping of cross line of business procedures to Risk and Controls library to aid with Global RCSA testing and ensuring compliance.
  • Responsible for Steering Committee's and working groups formation and management with effective outputs in line with delivery timelines.
  • Advised clients on regulatory compliance matters, promoting adherence to legal standards and reporting progress against Regulatory Plan and Commitment.

Financial Crime Compliance - Governance and Risk Advisory (Contract)

Santander Bank Plc
London, UK
05.2022 - 09.2022
  • Collaborated with Head of Governance and Risk as Economic Crime SME to enhance execution of Financial Crime Compliance Line 2 Governance function.
  • Delivering strategic advice and implementing innovative solutions to exceed regulatory standards and best practice recommendations.

Change Assurance Lead (Contract)

The Phoenix Group
Edinburgh , UK
10.2021 - 04.2022
  • Facilitated oversight of internal Change and Transformation achievements for Head of Assurance, Heritage Customer.
  • Developed Change Assurance standards, frameworks, processes, and procedures to strengthen Change Assurance team's capabilities.

Financial Crime Senior Consultant (Contract)

M&G Plc
, UK
01.2021 - 07.2021
  • Supported Group Head of Financial Crime Compliance in FCC Transformation as Senior SME, identifying gaps and proposing solutions.
  • Led Third Party/Supplier Management Framework work stream to integrate FCC requirements and controls.
  • Served as Lead SME in International Risk project, reporting findings and remediation to Director of FCC.
  • Directed FCC Culture Committee to promote understanding and implementation of a risk-based financial crime culture.
  • Designed and implemented Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment (EWRA) while reporting on FC control effectiveness and testing.

Internal Audit Manager - SME- Financial Crime Risk

Tesco Bank
, UK
05.2019 - 06.2020
  • Managing and performing multiple high-impact audits across Tesco Bank, guaranteeing quality assurance over handling of essential risks and performance of controls to optimise control environment and promote operational efficiency.
  • Serve as Internal Audit Financial Crime SME for Risk Transformation project working committee
  • Facilitating frontline business during Covid-19 crisis management efforts, specifically payment holiday.

Career Break - Pursue personal Goals/Ambitions

04.2018 - 05.2019
  • Creating memories with my 3-year-old whilst building a portfolio of investment properties.

Senior Assurance Assessment Lead - Financial Crime Risk Programme Assurance

HSBC Bank Plc
London , UK
10.2017 - 04.2018
  • The Group's regulators require the Financial Crime Risk (FCR) function to assess the adequacy of the firm's controls, processes, procedures and resulting outcomes to manage risk 'end to end'.
  • Facilitated assurance reviews across various Lines of Business and geographies, fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders at global, regional, country, and business levels.
  • Presenting an unbiased perspective to FCR leadership concerning status, quality, fitness, effectiveness, and completeness associated with Delivery Assurance and Content Assurance for Risk Programme.
  • Compiling reports detailing findings and recommendations for executive management, committees and Board.

Senior Manager - Fraud & Financial Crime - Commercial Banking

Lloyds Banking Group
, UK
08.2015 - 10.2017
  • Supported Head of Fraud & Financial Crime by leading a team for onboarding and maintenance tasks.
  • Delivered subject matter expertise in AML and Financial Crime.
  • Managed planning and implementation of risk controls with annual risk assessments.

Senior Compliance Manager

Green Investment Bank
, UK
12.2014 - 07.2015

Collaborated with Head of Compliance to establish and uphold a robust compliance framework.

  • Designed and executed risk-based compliance monitoring programmes, focusing on identification and assessment of risks.
  • Advisory lead and oversight on operational readiness and transformational projects.
  • Attending Risk and Compliance Committee, Audit and Risk Committee, Financial Crime Forum, Senior Leadership Board.

Senior Financial Crime Compliance Manager - Retail & Business Banking

Santander Bank Plc
London, UK
07.2014 - 12.2014

Managed development of robust systems and control frameworks addressing Financial Crime (AML, AB&C, CTF and Reputational risk) in Retail and Commercial sector.

  • Interpreted regulations into comprehensive policies and standards for effective application.
  • Counselled the business on designing processes to adhere to regulatory requirements.
  • Participate in Financial Crime, Operational and Conduct Risk Boards, ensuring effective oversight and management of risks.
  • Direct Financial Crime subject matter initiatives within AML Transformation Programme.

Financial Crime Risk Manager

HSBC Bank Plc
London, UK
01.2011 - 06.2014

Act as AML subject matter expert for Global Commercial Banking operations and Global Standards Programme initiatives.

  • Delivered AML guidance within compliance framework for strategic programmes and committees.
  • Formulated and executed global standards and policies related to AML practices.
  • Developed comprehensive training course on AML/Financial Crime in association with ICA/ICT.

Business Support Manager

HSBC Bank Plc
London
06.2005 - 01.2011
  • Various roles within the Branch network and working in the frontline involving Customer service, Relationship Management and administrative duties.

Education

BA (Hons) - Business Management with Corporate Law

Napier University
09.2007 - 06.2010

Certificate - Anti Money Laundering

International Compliance Association

Certificate - Trade Based Financial Crime (In-house role-based training)

International Compliance Association

Skills

  • Executive management skills
  • Transformation and change execution
  • Regulatory compliance and risk assessment
  • Corporate governance practices
  • Commercial acumen
  • Stakeholder relationship management

Timeline

Senior Executive Officer

Dova Advisors
06.2025 - 07.2025

Compliance Officer & MLRO

Unitas Client Services
04.2025 - 06.2025

Senior Consultant - Risk and Compliance, Change Management

Capco Consultancy
11.2022 - 03.2025

Financial Crime Compliance - Governance and Risk Advisory (Contract)

Santander Bank Plc
05.2022 - 09.2022

Change Assurance Lead (Contract)

The Phoenix Group
10.2021 - 04.2022

Financial Crime Senior Consultant (Contract)

M&G Plc
01.2021 - 07.2021

Internal Audit Manager - SME- Financial Crime Risk

Tesco Bank
05.2019 - 06.2020

Career Break - Pursue personal Goals/Ambitions

04.2018 - 05.2019

Senior Assurance Assessment Lead - Financial Crime Risk Programme Assurance

HSBC Bank Plc
10.2017 - 04.2018

Senior Manager - Fraud & Financial Crime - Commercial Banking

Lloyds Banking Group
08.2015 - 10.2017

Senior Compliance Manager

Green Investment Bank
12.2014 - 07.2015

Senior Financial Crime Compliance Manager - Retail & Business Banking

Santander Bank Plc
07.2014 - 12.2014

Financial Crime Risk Manager

HSBC Bank Plc
01.2011 - 06.2014

BA (Hons) - Business Management with Corporate Law

Napier University
09.2007 - 06.2010

Business Support Manager

HSBC Bank Plc
06.2005 - 01.2011

Certificate - Anti Money Laundering

International Compliance Association

Certificate - Trade Based Financial Crime (In-house role-based training)

International Compliance Association
Samantha Ahmed