Muhammad Wiqas
Leeds
Summary
Strategic leader with over 8 years in international development, strategic communications, and UK-regulated financial services. Expertise in team leadership, branch operations, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Proven experience in delivering effective communications and managing operations in complex environments, driving measurable outcomes that align with organisational goals.
Overview
5
5
Languages
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Branch Manager
ModX Limited
London
07.2026 - Current
- Manage branch performance, driving business growth through customer acquisition, relationship management, and achievement of revenue and profitability targets.
- Led day-to-day operations of branch, ensuring efficient service delivery and compliance with company policies and UK regulatory requirements.
- Ensure full compliance with UK Money Laundering Regulations, HMRC Money Service Business (MSB) requirements, and internal Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) procedures.
- Monitored and identified suspicious transactions, escalating potential financial crime risks in line with AML policies and regulatory obligations.
- Oversee cash management, foreign currency inventory, and reconciliation processes, maintaining high standards of financial accuracy and operational control.
- Lead, coach, and develop branch staff through recruitment, training, performance management, and ongoing professional development.
- Deliver exceptional customer service by resolving complex customer enquiries and maintaining long-term client relationships.
- Implement operational controls to minimise financial, compliance, and operational risks while ensuring branch security and data confidentiality.
- Prepare and present branch performance, compliance, and operational reports to senior management.
- Conduct regular audits and quality checks to ensure adherence to internal procedures and regulatory standards.
- Collaborate with compliance, operations, and senior leadership teams to improve business processes and enhance operational efficiency.
- Promote culture of compliance, accountability, teamwork, and customer excellence across branch.
Branch Manager
Smarttway Limited
London
08.2025 - 06.2026
- Directed branch operations of Federal Crime Agency-registered Money Services Business (MSB), ensuring full compliance with Anti Money Laundering and Counter-terrorism Financing regulations to mitigate risk.
- Led Anti Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism Financing risk assessments, ensured all transactions adhered to internal and regulatory compliance standards.
- Monitored daily transactions for red flags, escalating suspicious cases to compliance officer to safeguard against potential violations.
- Ensured accurate Know Your Customer (KYC) verification and secure transaction processing, maintaining rigorous recordkeeping standards.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of FCA and HMRC guidelines for MSBs.
Programme Associate
United Nations Development Programme
11.2019 - 12.2024
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with government administrative departments, political & community leaders, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinated District Consultative Sessions, Ulasi Nasta/Kohli Kachehri in Merged Areas (MAs), and Donor Conferences in Islamabad to enhance stakeholder engagement.
- Assisted the team in the preparation of the COVID-19 response campaign for the Government of KP, which received wider appreciation from UNDP, the donors, and the government of KP. It was cited by Facebook-Pakistan as one of the best examples of ‘effective communications during the pandemic’ within the region.
- Nominated focal person for conducting local government elected Village and Neighborhood Council (VCNC) members’ training, town hall meetings, and VCNCs. members training under the Qabail Led Development programme in MAs.
- Trained more than 1500 tehsil and VCNC members of the MAs.
- Monitored development projects identified by VCNC members in MAs to ensure progress and compliance.
- Assisting in establishing the border areas VC offices in border districts.
- Assisted the team with data collection, analysis, and report preparation for various activities, FGDs, and surveys.
- Assisted the team in the preparation of the KP Flood Response Plan 2022.
- Provide technical assistance to the “Merged Areas Governance Programme” of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to meet external and internal communications needs.
- Conducting & monitoring field visits, identifying communication needs, developing background materials, research, preparing presentations & meeting minutes, and writing and distributing promotional materials.
- Developed communication campaign for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) and Tuberculosis (TB) control programme in MAs, promoting health awareness.
- Recorded digital stories and crafted feature stories, including subtitles and scripts, through interviews with government officials and local residents in MAs, highlighting community perspectives.
- Manages consultant/vendors, and external partner contracts to support program delivery. This includes document preparation, form completion, TOR, and logistical arrangements. Maintains updated vendor lists, partner directories, and consultant rosters etc.
Listing Officer
Aurat Foundation
Islamabad
04.2018 - 05.2018
- Provide data/information required for the preparation of community action plans.
- Ensure carrying out the activities related to community engagement in the field.
- Facilitated focus group discussions with schoolteachers and community members to gather insights and foster collaboration.
- Encouraged community members to participate in development projects through orientation sessions and project briefs.
- Developed work plan for field staff and coordinated collection of school data.
- Monitor the work of enumerators on a daily basis and report on activities to the supervisor.
- Data collection and research brief about particular areas
- Provided field reports to supervisors daily.
- Compiled and submitted daily reports to maintain accurate records. and maintaining the record updated on a daily basis.
- Pre and Post Mobilization to ensure full participation.
- Assisting senior staff in work planning and door-to-door surveys at all levels.
- Attending meetings and preparing Schedules on daily basis.
- Provided logistical support to team during field activities. to the team during field
- Creating awareness of project aims and objectives in the communities
- Represent the organization on different platforms.
- As a team member, motivating the community people and team members to the development of project activities, planning, and reporting.
Research Assistant
Institute of Management Sciences
07.2017 - 09.2017
- Assisted lead teachers in developing detailed lesson plans for various subjects.
- Prepared lesson materials and set up equipment, supporting teachers in providing engaging learning experiences.
- Revising lesson material with students individually or in small groups.
- Identified and addressed student issues alongside lead teachers, contributing to informed recommendations for support strategies.
- Documenting student progress and communicating with parents to keep them informed.
- Monitored class schedule in collaboration with lead teacher to ensure effective lesson delivery.
- Ensuring the classroom environment is safe and clean.
- Assisted lead teachers in developing detailed lesson plans for various subjects..
- Participated in all training classes to enhance teaching skills and knowledge., parent conferences, and faculty meetings.
Education
MPhil - Development Studies
Pakistan Institute of Development Economics
Pakistan01-2022
MSC - International Development Management
University of Westminster
London10-2025
Bachelor (Hons) - Social Sciences
Institute off Management Sciences
Pakistan06-2018
FSC - Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
Government College
Pakistan06-2013
Skills
- Anti-money laundering
- AML compliance
- KYC procedures
- CDD processes
- EDD processes
- Sanctions checks
- Regulatory compliance
- Financial regulations
- Operational analytics
- Risk assessment
- Operational performance
- Operational efficiency
- Branch operations
- Operations management
- Financial management
- Profit and Loss Analysis
- Financial statements
- Budget control
- Compliance checks
- Performance reporting
- Customer service
- Operational oversight
- Relationship management
- Business growth
- Business development
- Revenue growth
- Revenue strategy
- Revenue enhancement
- Resource allocation
- Data analysis
- Transaction monitoring
- Excel
- Power BI
- PowerPoint
- Asana
- CRM systems
- Collaboration
- Team leadership
- Staff training
- Team training
- Staff recruitment
- Staff development
- Staff supervision
- Branch management
- Operational oversight
- Leadership development
- Strategic planning
- Decision-Making authority
- Executive communication
- Digital content creation
- Visual communication
- Market analysis
- Integrity standards
- Ethical governance
- Client engagement management
- Financial oversight
- Budget control
- Compliance checks
- Staff development
Languages
English (Fluent)
Urdu (Fluent)
Pashto (Fluent)
Punjabi (Fluent)
Persian (Basic)
Interest Area
- International relations
- Global politics
- Current affairs
- Business Development
Timeline
Branch Manager
ModX Limited
07.2026 - Current
Branch Manager
Smarttway Limited
08.2025 - 06.2026
Programme Associate
United Nations Development Programme
11.2019 - 12.2024
Listing Officer
Aurat Foundation
04.2018 - 05.2018
Research Assistant
Institute of Management Sciences
07.2017 - 09.2017
MPhil - Development Studies
Pakistan Institute of Development Economics
MSC - International Development Management
University of Westminster
Bachelor (Hons) - Social Sciences
Institute off Management Sciences
FSC - Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
Government College