John Beard
About John Beard
John Beard serves as the Director of GBM Financial Crime Assurance at HSBC, where he has worked since 2015. He has extensive experience in financial crime risk management, having held senior roles at ABN AMRO Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Current Role at HSBC
John Beard serves as the Director of GBM Financial Crime Assurance at HSBC, a position he has held since 2015. In this role, he focuses on enhancing financial crime risk management practices within the organization. He leads thematic reviews and deep dives to identify areas for improvement in risk management. Additionally, he supports and prepares in-country executive teams for potential regulatory visits, ensuring compliance with financial crime regulations.
Previous Experience at ABN AMRO Bank
Prior to his role at HSBC, John Beard worked at ABN AMRO Bank N.V. as the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Operations Division for RBS Global Hub Europe from 2008 to 2010. His tenure in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands, involved overseeing operational functions and contributing to the bank's strategic objectives during a critical period of transformation.
Experience at Royal Bank of Scotland
John Beard held multiple positions at the Royal Bank of Scotland between 2010 and 2014. He served as the Programme Director for AML and Sanctions Deep Dive Review for seven months, followed by his role as Head of Group Services for the UK and Ireland and RBS Group AML Nominated Officer for three years. His work in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, focused on enhancing anti-money laundering strategies and operational efficiencies.
Education and Academic Background
John Beard studied at Brunel University London, where he earned a Master of Science in Accounting and Finance from 2001 to 2002. He also completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management at the same institution from 1998 to 2001. His foundational education was at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, where he studied from 1991 to 1998.
Expertise in Financial Crime Risk Management
John Beard conducts systematic interviews with high-level executives, including CEOs, CROs, and COOs, to assess the maturity of financial crime risk management within organizations. He advises GBM Business Leadership on strategies for mitigating financial crime risks and enhancing control measures, leveraging his extensive experience in the financial sector.