MARK JAMES DORAN
Summary
Experienced Financial Crime Investigator with a strong background in economic crime within law enforcement and regulatory compliance. Former Accredited Financial Investigator in an Economic Crime Unit and Counter Terrorist Unit, currently serving as an Anti-Money Laundering Subject Matter Expert. Specialises in managing complex investigations, and analysing and presenting extensive financial data to stakeholders.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Compliance Consultant
SANTANDER
01.2021 - Current
- Conducting complex EDD/CDD related investigations (onboarding and ongoing reviews) and KYB/KYC checks (source of funds & wealth).
- Writing suspicious activity reports (SARs) for disclosure to NCA.
- Conducting risk-based investigations into bank accounts triggering for unusual activity (business, retail & private banking).
- Unravelling complex legal structures to identify ultimate beneficial owners.
- Identifying new and emerging AML and CFT trends and typologies, including cryptocurrency, to protect the bank from fin crime risk.
- Performed adverse media monitoring and sanctions screening using Factiva and Dow Jones.
- Experience of dealing with a variety of entity types including complex SPVs, charities, trusts and corporates, including SME customers with complex business structures across multi-jurisdictions.
- Utilising the Risk and self-assessment (RCSA) compliance framework to proactively identify gaps in control effectiveness and operational risks.
- Managed process failures and performance issues, focusing on root cause analysis and identifying emerging trends to enhance compliance.
- Helping design and calibrate new rules and alert types to ensure full transaction monitoring coverage (cryptocurrency, modern slavery and human trafficking).
- Coached and mentored analysts, receiving positive feedback from peers and managers for effective training.
- Training 75+ Polish TM analysts regarding enhanced access to SAR raising processes, thereby eliminating discrepancies in controls and introducing a consistent service on and offshore.
- Trained 60+ analysts on advanced detection techniques including tax evasion and benefit fraud by running case clinics and 1-2-1s, thereby enhancing SAR quality and productivity.
- Maintained SLA agreements by adjusting analyst workstreams and allocating cases.
- Overseeing 10 analysts as Deputy Manager. Conducting meetings during manager absences and being proactive to maintain SLA.
- Participated in forums and projects to develop machine learning detection techniques, contributing to advancements in compliance monitoring.
Customer Risk Assessment (CRA) Model Data Analyst
SANTANDER
01.2021 - Current
- Analysed large datasets using SQL (Hue, SAS, MicroStrategy) to continuously assess effectiveness of the CRA financial crime risk model.
- Maintained and improved CRA model by identifying gaps and weaknesses in FC controls, determining root causes, supporting process changes, and ensuring oversight and governance.
- Prepared impact assessments for Line 1 business units on effects of future risk-based enhancements to CRA model.
Court Order Unit Subject Matter Expert
SANTANDER
01.2021 - Current
- Ensured appropriate disclosure aligned with data protection regulations, safeguarding sensitive information.
- Conducted quality assurance and checks on analysts’ outputs, mitigating risks of over/under disclosure and preventing data breaches.
- Managed responses to legal orders and FCA statutory information requests, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
Accredited Financial Investigator - Economic Crime | Counter Terrorism
WEST MIDLANDS & THAMES VALLEY POLICE
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Leading complex investigations into money laundering, fraud and organised crime within a recognised legal framework (POCA/TACT).
- Reviewed complex financial data and statements to uncover patterns indicative of money laundering and fraud.
- Obtained Crown Court orders (Restraint, Disclosure Orders) to facilitate identification of money laundering and tracing of assets.
- Investigated DAML/DATFs and recommended to NCA that banks be granted defence to pay customer funds or initiate account freezes.
- Conducted pre-order enquiries with regulated sector through the Financial Intelligence Gateway (FIG).
Investigator - Serious Organised Crime Unit | CID
WEST MIDLANDS & THAMES VALLEY POLICE
01.2009 - 01.2015
- Managed large investigative caseload of complex serious crime, ensuring thorough analysis and case progression.
- Identified and prioritised key lines of enquiries (forensics, financial data, CCTV), enhancing investigation effectiveness.
- Conducted PACE compliant suspect interviews, obtaining statements from victims and witnesses to support investigations.
- Executed searches of properties to secure and collect vital evidence for case development.
- Making evidence-based decisions to charge, caution or release a suspect.
- Managing competing priorities in a high-pressure environment and meeting strict deadlines (court hearings, trial dates).
Education
Santander Coaching with Confidence -
04-2026
BA with Honours -
History degree
Diploma -
Police Communications and Investigations (OCR)
Level 2 Police Investigator - criminal law
ICA Certifications - Enhanced Sanctions, Counter Terrorist Financing, Anti-Money Laundering, Enhanced Due Diligence, Customer Due Diligence, Facilitation of Tax Evasion, Crypto assets, Politically Exposed Persons
NCA/NTFIU accreditation - Financial Intelligence, Financial Investigation, Confiscation
Skills
- Money Laundering Regulations
- Fraud
- Economic Crime
- Bribery & Corruption
- Facilitation of Tax Evasion
- Sanctions Awareness
- Asset Freezes
- POCA
- Terrorism Act
- SARS
- Report Writing Skills
- Critical Thinking Skills
Custom Section
- Obtained Confiscation Orders valued over £1 million.
- Presentation to over 100 senior police leaders at Police HQ on Economic crime / asset recovery.
- Three Police commendations for successful convictions and investigations.
- Led one of West Midlands Police’s largest POCA confiscations.
- Represented CTFIU at the 2019 Belfast conference.
Timeline
Compliance Consultant
SANTANDER
01.2021 - Current
Customer Risk Assessment (CRA) Model Data Analyst
SANTANDER
01.2021 - Current
Court Order Unit Subject Matter Expert
SANTANDER
01.2021 - Current
Accredited Financial Investigator - Economic Crime | Counter Terrorism
WEST MIDLANDS & THAMES VALLEY POLICE
01.2015 - 01.2021
Investigator - Serious Organised Crime Unit | CID
WEST MIDLANDS & THAMES VALLEY POLICE
01.2009 - 01.2015
Santander Coaching with Confidence -
BA with Honours -
History degree
Diploma -
Police Communications and Investigations (OCR)