Natasha Francis
About Natasha Francis
Natasha Francis serves as the MLRO, Compliance Officer, and Director at Sendwave, where she oversees regulatory compliance and financial crime matters. With a background in financial compliance and risk management, she has held various roles in prominent financial institutions, including HSBC and Investec.
Current Role at Sendwave
Natasha Francis serves as the MLRO, Compliance Officer, and Director at Sendwave, an international remittance company. She has held this position since 2019, working fully remotely. In her role, she acts as the primary liaison with regulatory bodies and government agencies concerning all Regulatory Compliance and Financial Crime matters. Natasha is responsible for the design and enhancement of the UK Compliance Program and Financial Crime Controls, ensuring that Sendwave adheres to international standards.
Previous Experience in Financial Compliance
Prior to her current role, Natasha held several positions in financial compliance. She worked at HSBC as a Senior Financial Crime Analyst from 2015 to 2016, focusing on Group Risk Analytics and Financial Crime Compliance. Before that, she served as MLRO and Compliance Officer at QIB (UK) from 2017 to 2019. Natasha also worked at Investec in Investor Relations and Corporate Finance from 2005 to 2007, and at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation as an Assistant Manager from 2007 to 2015.
Education and Qualifications
Natasha Francis studied at the University of East London, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science. This educational background has provided her with a foundation in understanding social dynamics, which is essential in her compliance and regulatory roles within the financial sector.
Key Responsibilities and Initiatives
In her current position at Sendwave, Natasha leads the submission of Suspicious Activity Reports to the NCA, FinCEN, and FinTRAC. She developed and implemented a comprehensive Compliance and AML/CFT Training Program to enhance awareness and adherence to compliance standards within the organization. Natasha also tracks compliance issues arising from audits, risk assessments, and regulatory reviews to ensure timely resolution.
Industry Engagement and Contributions
Natasha is actively involved in the compliance community, regularly attending meetings and participating as a member of Fintrail and other relevant AML/CTF bodies. She contributes to industry discussions and developments, ensuring that she stays informed about the latest trends and regulatory changes. Additionally, she participates in the Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Committee and Board of Directors meetings, where she prepares minutes and action items.