Group Head of AML & Sanctions

Who are we?

Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 23,000 employees spanning over 56 countries.

People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

We have always been employee‑owned and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Right from the beginning, we've focused on employing talented individuals and empowering them to make a real difference to the company, whilst building successful and fulfilling careers at the same time. Simply put, we hire talented specialists and give them what they need to make a difference for clients. Always have, always will.

People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down disappointed head‑hunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

The Group Financial Crime Senior Manager/Director is responsible for the strategic leadership and oversight of the sanctions and AML frameworks and controls across the Howden Group.

The role holder will be responsible for ensuring the Group’s sanctions and AML frameworks are fit for purpose, meeting all legal requirements and following best practices; ensuring that the frameworks and associated controls are implemented consistently across the Group through direct liaison and support for divisions globally. This is a senior role, suited to someone with a strong subject matter expertise of sanctions and AML controls in financial services, ideally within an insurance intermediary business model, a thorough understanding of relevant sanctions and AML legislation and experience of working to the standards required of a UK and US public listed entity.

Planning and Strategy:

• Enhance and implement a robust but proportionate Group sanctions and AML framework.
• Support divisions and entities with the local roll out of sanctions and AML standards.
• Continue to oversee the sanctions and AML frameworks to ensure they remain fit for purpose in line with all relevant legislation, guidance and industry best practice and standards.
• Oversee and support businesses to enhance their sanctions and AML control environments in line with the standards required of a UK and/or US public listed entity.

People Management/Personal Development:

• Support the Group Head of Financial Crime to foster a culture of employee engagement and role modelling, encouraging and rewarding essential behaviours and maintaining a high level of personal and professional confidence.
• Support with the development of the Group Financial Crime Team to ensure the required standards of performance are met across the team, and that the professional and personal development of team members reporting into the Group Financial Crime Senior Manager/Director increases their capability and effectiveness.
• Ensure there are effective succession plans in place and actively develops team members to provide future successors.
• Actively undertakes personal development to ensure up to date knowledge and understanding of best practice.

Governance, Monitoring & Reporting:

• Represent sanctions and money laundering risks effectively at appropriate Governance Committees, including applicable reporting requirements.
• Oversee the ongoing enhancement and implementation of Global Sanctions and AML/Counter‑Terrorist Financing Minimum Standards and communicate changes, and potential impacts, effectively.
• Provide oversight, guidance and support to divisions in respect of sanctions and AML issues and controls.
• Act as…