Compliance Influencer of the Month of July
Alex Oxford
AML Expert, SupTech and RegTech Specialist
Who are you and what do you do?
Who am I? An existential question I pose to myself each day. I am Alex Oxford, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific for AML Analytics, an AML compliance technology firm who collaborates with banks (and importantly compliance teams) to provide independent testing, validation and optimization of technologies. In my role I get to work alongside passionate compliance people who are embracing technologies to empower their teams to drive greater effectiveness and efficiency in their compliance programmes.
Why did you choose a career in compliance?
Initially, I was attracted to the compliance technology space due to the considerable amount of digital transformation beginning to take place in 2014-2016 in Hong Kong and across the region as organizations began to invest in technologies post-remediation exercises. The ability to help support organizations combat financial crime and the true human cost of money laundering also was a large driver.
What has been the most important skill set you believe is necessary for a role in compliance?
In my role, we promote the need for organizations to look to build skill sets in compliance based upon the usage of technology to empower human capital. Outside of core 'soft' skills such as EQ, resilience, grit amongst many others, the ability to utilise technologies to compliment the human elements is fast becoming the most critical skill.
What is the best thing about your job?
Working with interesting customers. Being able to hear real-world stories and the application of AML Analytics’ sanction screening and transaction monitoring technologies to help organizations combat financial crime on an organizational, regulatory and governmental level.
We all have learning experiences during our careers, what was your greatest learning experience (something you worked on, a career move or even something someone said)?
"Decisions are made by those who show up" is a saying I quite like and one in which preaches to my belief around taking ownership and responsibility of your own decisions and how to focus on adding value to each conversation and situation you are in.
What has been your proudest moment(s)/achievement(s)?
I am incredibly proud of what we have been able to achieve at AML Analytics in supporting customers acoss our region and abroad including the extensive work we undertake with Regulators and the regulated driving better outcomes for those we work with. Whilst COVID has not been a walk in the park, we have all shown up.
What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?
Moving to Hong Kong with just a suitcase after not knowing where it was on a map.
Who has been your role model(s) during your career?
I am lucky to have had a long list of bosses I admire and respect from my time at the Pasta Factory in my teenage years to the present day including Justin Kagan at VATit, Scott Walker and Dean Curtis at RELX, Roger Carson and Wayne Johnson at encompass corporation and now Justin Holder and Andy Robertson at AML Analytics. All unique and all great role models from who I have learnt and continue to learn a great deal.
What inspires you?
Many things - recently I have re-watched The Last Dance sports documentary and find the focus, dedication to their craft and the leadership of Jordan and the Bulls to be in some ways inspiration, or aspirational to be that good at what you do!
Compliance can be a 24/7 job. How and what do you do to make sure you switch off?
Switching off from work means I'm switching on with the three kids and puppies at home or typically cooking (and eating), entertaining and playing sport on the weekends.
What advice would you give to aspiring compliance officers?
Never stop learning - your roles continue to evolve as criminal typologies and emergent risks are ever changing in which as consumers, and citizens, we need your help to weed out those bad actors.
What is something people don’t know about you?
I spent 7 years making gluten free and organic pasta prior to a life in the corporate world!
Who am I? An existential question I pose to myself each day. I am Alex Oxford, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific for AML Analytics, an AML compliance technology firm who collaborates with banks (and importantly compliance teams) to provide independent testing, validation and optimization of technologies. In my role I get to work alongside passionate compliance people who are embracing technologies to empower their teams to drive greater effectiveness and efficiency in their compliance programmes.
Why did you choose a career in compliance?
Initially, I was attracted to the compliance technology space due to the considerable amount of digital transformation beginning to take place in 2014-2016 in Hong Kong and across the region as organizations began to invest in technologies post-remediation exercises. The ability to help support organizations combat financial crime and the true human cost of money laundering also was a large driver.
What has been the most important skill set you believe is necessary for a role in compliance?
In my role, we promote the need for organizations to look to build skill sets in compliance based upon the usage of technology to empower human capital. Outside of core 'soft' skills such as EQ, resilience, grit amongst many others, the ability to utilise technologies to compliment the human elements is fast becoming the most critical skill.
What is the best thing about your job?
Working with interesting customers. Being able to hear real-world stories and the application of AML Analytics’ sanction screening and transaction monitoring technologies to help organizations combat financial crime on an organizational, regulatory and governmental level.
We all have learning experiences during our careers, what was your greatest learning experience (something you worked on, a career move or even something someone said)?
"Decisions are made by those who show up" is a saying I quite like and one in which preaches to my belief around taking ownership and responsibility of your own decisions and how to focus on adding value to each conversation and situation you are in.
What has been your proudest moment(s)/achievement(s)?
I am incredibly proud of what we have been able to achieve at AML Analytics in supporting customers acoss our region and abroad including the extensive work we undertake with Regulators and the regulated driving better outcomes for those we work with. Whilst COVID has not been a walk in the park, we have all shown up.
What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?
Moving to Hong Kong with just a suitcase after not knowing where it was on a map.
Who has been your role model(s) during your career?
I am lucky to have had a long list of bosses I admire and respect from my time at the Pasta Factory in my teenage years to the present day including Justin Kagan at VATit, Scott Walker and Dean Curtis at RELX, Roger Carson and Wayne Johnson at encompass corporation and now Justin Holder and Andy Robertson at AML Analytics. All unique and all great role models from who I have learnt and continue to learn a great deal.
What inspires you?
Many things - recently I have re-watched The Last Dance sports documentary and find the focus, dedication to their craft and the leadership of Jordan and the Bulls to be in some ways inspiration, or aspirational to be that good at what you do!
Compliance can be a 24/7 job. How and what do you do to make sure you switch off?
Switching off from work means I'm switching on with the three kids and puppies at home or typically cooking (and eating), entertaining and playing sport on the weekends.
What advice would you give to aspiring compliance officers?
Never stop learning - your roles continue to evolve as criminal typologies and emergent risks are ever changing in which as consumers, and citizens, we need your help to weed out those bad actors.
What is something people don’t know about you?
I spent 7 years making gluten free and organic pasta prior to a life in the corporate world!