Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Rob Smith

Selsdon,Surrey

Summary

After a successful 30-year career in finance, I have made the decision to pursue a complete career change, following a long-held passion for a new field. This transition represents an exciting opportunity for me to develop new skills, gain valuable hands-on experience, and make a meaningful contribution in a different industry.

To demonstrate my commitment to this change, I have self-funded my training to achieve a Level 3 qualification, investing both time and effort to build a strong foundation of knowledge. However, I recognize that true expertise comes from practical experience, and I am eager to take the next step by securing a role that will allow me to work towards my NVQ.

I am highly motivated to learn from experienced professionals, refine my skills in a real-world setting, and continuously improve my understanding of industry practices. My dedication to professional growth, combined with my strong work ethic and adaptability, will enable me to make the most of every learning opportunity. I am looking for an employer who values enthusiasm, commitment, and a willingness to develop, and I am excited about the prospect of contributing while expanding my expertise in this new and rewarding career path.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience

Work history

Compliance Reporting & Governance Manager

Santander UK
London
2010.01 - 2024.10

As a Compliance and Risk Reporting Specialist within Santander’s Compliance and Economic Crime Office (CECO) team, I played a pivotal role in the Second Line of Defence, ensuring the effective delivery of compliance risk reporting and governance. I was responsible for leading risk profile reporting and embedding a data-driven approach to risk management. A key aspect of my role involved conducting in-depth investigations into risk breaches and providing comprehensive reports with strategic recommendations to the Chief Compliance Officer, executive leadership, and board-level stakeholders.

I worked closely with senior executives to shape risk appetite metrics, ensuring continuous monitoring and analysis to support data-led decision-making. I regularly authored risk papers and provided thematic root cause analysis for executive and board-level reporting, offering insights to drive improvements in compliance and conduct risk frameworks. My role also required managing the governance of the monthly Conduct and Compliance Forum, where I led the preparation of high-quality reporting dashboards, facilitated discussions on key risk areas, and ensured the timely escalation of critical issues to the board and regulatory bodies.

In addition to risk reporting, I played a key role in driving transformation initiatives aimed at simplifying and automating compliance reporting processes at both the SanUK and Group level. I collaborated extensively with cross-functional teams, ensuring adherence to relevant policies, regulatory frameworks, and industry best practices. My ability to communicate complex compliance risks in a clear and actionable manner allowed me to influence strategic decision-making at the highest levels of the organization.

Through proactive engagement with senior leadership and board members, I ensured that compliance risk remained a central focus in the organization’s governance structure, fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Regional Manager Risk and Control

Santander UK
Croydon, Surrey
2008.02 - 2010.01

Branch Manager Superstore

Abbey
Eltham, Greenwich
2005.06 - 2008.02

Branch Manager High Street

London
Norbury
2004.07 - 2005.06

Financial Planning Advisor

Abbey National Plc
Croydon, Surrey
1999.04 - 2004.07

Mortgage Administrator

Abbey National Plc
Croydon, Surrey
1998.06 - 1999.04

Customer Service Advisor

Abbey National Plc
Croydon, Surrey
1996.01 - 1998.06

Cashier

Abbey National Plc
Croydon, Surrey
1995.11 - 1997.01

Education

Diploma of Higher Education - BTEC National Diploma in Computer Studies

Croydon College
Croydon
1992.09 - 1995.07

GCSEs - Geography

Stanley Technical High School
South Norwood, Croydon
1992.05 - 1992.06

GCSEs - Maths

Stanley Technical High School
South Norwood, Croydon
1992.05 - 1992.06

GCSEs - Science

Stanley Technical High School
South Norwood, Croydon
1992.05 - 1992.06

GCSEs - Business Studies

Stanley Technical High School
South Norwood, Croydon
1992.05 - 1992.06

GCSEs - English Literature

Stanley Technical High School
South Norwood, Croydon
1992.05 - 1992.06

GCSEs - English Language

Stanley Technical High School
South Norwood, Croydon
1992.05 - 1992.06

Certificate of Higher Education - Certificate for Financial Advisers CeFA 1

Chartered Insurance Institute
London
1999.03 - 1999.03

Certificate of Higher Education - Certificate for Financial Advisers CeFA 2

Chartered Insurance Institute
London
1999.05 - 1999.05

Certificate of Higher Education - Certificate for Financial Advisers CeFA 3

Chartered Insurance Institute
London
1999.11 - 1999.11

Certificate of Higher Education - The Certificate in Mortgage Advise and Practice

Chartered Insurance Institute
London
2003.07 - 2003.07

Certificate of Higher Education - 2392 Inspection & Testing

City & Guilds of London Institute
London
2024.10 - 2024.10

Certificate of Higher Education - 2382-22 18th Edition

City & Guilds of London Institute
London
2024.10 - 2024.10

Certificate of Higher Education - 2392-10 Building Regs (Part P)

City & Guilds of London Institute
London
2024.10 - 2024.10

Diploma of Higher Education - 2365-02 Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installations

City & Guilds of London Institute
London
2024.12 - 2024.12

Certificate of Higher Education - 2365-03 Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations

City & Guilds of London Institute
London
2025.02 -

Skills

  • Strategic planning
  • Project coordination
  • Operations oversight
  • Risk assessment
  • Data analysis
  • Quality assurance
  • Customer relationship management
  • KPI tracking
  • Financial reporting
  • Corporate governance
  • Compliance monitoring
  • Influential communication
  • Strategic decision-making
  • Product knowledge and integration
  • Team Leadership
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Project Management
  • Change management
  • Spot-check auditing
  • Team motivation
  • Systems and automation applications
  • Key product reporting
  • Team coaching
  • Microsoft Office Suite expertise
  • Report writing
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Adaptability to change

Timeline

Certificate of Higher Education - 2365-03 Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations

City & Guilds of London Institute
2025.02 -

Diploma of Higher Education - 2365-02 Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installations

City & Guilds of London Institute
2024.12 - 2024.12

Certificate of Higher Education - 2392 Inspection & Testing

City & Guilds of London Institute
2024.10 - 2024.10

Certificate of Higher Education - 2382-22 18th Edition

City & Guilds of London Institute
2024.10 - 2024.10

Certificate of Higher Education - 2392-10 Building Regs (Part P)

City & Guilds of London Institute
2024.10 - 2024.10

Compliance Reporting & Governance Manager

Santander UK
2010.01 - 2024.10

Regional Manager Risk and Control

Santander UK
2008.02 - 2010.01

Branch Manager Superstore

Abbey
2005.06 - 2008.02

Branch Manager High Street

London
2004.07 - 2005.06

Certificate of Higher Education - The Certificate in Mortgage Advise and Practice

Chartered Insurance Institute
2003.07 - 2003.07

Certificate of Higher Education - Certificate for Financial Advisers CeFA 3

Chartered Insurance Institute
1999.11 - 1999.11

Certificate of Higher Education - Certificate for Financial Advisers CeFA 2

Chartered Insurance Institute
1999.05 - 1999.05

Financial Planning Advisor

Abbey National Plc
1999.04 - 2004.07

Certificate of Higher Education - Certificate for Financial Advisers CeFA 1

Chartered Insurance Institute
1999.03 - 1999.03

Mortgage Administrator

Abbey National Plc
1998.06 - 1999.04

Customer Service Advisor

Abbey National Plc
1996.01 - 1998.06

Cashier

Abbey National Plc
1995.11 - 1997.01

Diploma of Higher Education - BTEC National Diploma in Computer Studies

Croydon College
1992.09 - 1995.07

GCSEs - Geography

Stanley Technical High School
1992.05 - 1992.06

GCSEs - Maths

Stanley Technical High School
1992.05 - 1992.06

GCSEs - Science

Stanley Technical High School
1992.05 - 1992.06

GCSEs - Business Studies

Stanley Technical High School
1992.05 - 1992.06

GCSEs - English Literature

Stanley Technical High School
1992.05 - 1992.06

GCSEs - English Language

Stanley Technical High School
1992.05 - 1992.06
Rob Smith