Karen E. Friefeld
About Karen E. Friefeld
Karen E. Friefeld serves as the Managing Director and Head of Governmental & Regulatory Affairs UK at UBS, a position she has held since 2024. With a background in financial regulatory reform and public policy, she has accumulated extensive experience in various roles at UBS and Barclays Investment Bank.
Current Role at UBS
Karen E. Friefeld serves as the Managing Director and Head of Governmental & Regulatory Affairs UK at UBS. She has held this position since 2024, working from London, England. In her current role, she oversees the firm's interactions with governmental bodies and regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Previous Experience at UBS
Friefeld has an extensive history with UBS, having worked in various roles since 2009. She served as the Executive Director and Head of Regulatory Relations UK from 2019 to 2024, and as the Director of UK Regulatory Advisory & Relations Manager from 2015 to 2019. Additionally, she was the Head of Governmental & Regulatory Affairs UK for a brief period in 2023. Her earlier roles included serving as a Financial Regulatory Reform & Public Policy Analyst from 2010 to 2012 and as an intern in the UBS Americas COO Office in 2009.
Experience at Barclays Investment Bank
Before her tenure at UBS, Friefeld worked at Barclays Investment Bank as an Assistant Vice President in the Recovery & Resolution Planning Regulatory Team from 2012 to 2013. This role involved managing regulatory requirements related to recovery and resolution planning, contributing to the bank's compliance framework.
Educational Background
Friefeld studied at Colorado College from 2006 to 2010, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus on English Literature, Art History, and Photography. Prior to that, she attended Long Beach Wilson High School from 2002 to 2006, completing her secondary education.
Early Career in Publications
Friefeld began her career in the field of journalism, serving as the Newspaper & Publications Sports Editor at Colorado College from 2006 to 2008. This role involved overseeing sports coverage and contributing to the college's publications, providing her with foundational experience in communication and editorial work.