Brett Downes

Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and MLRO at Finverity

Brett Downes has extensive work experience in risk management and consultancy roles in the finance industry. Brett is currently serving as the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) at Finverity since July 2021. Prior to that, they held the same position at SALT starting from January 2022.

Brett also has experience as the Chief Executive Officer of Moon Seventeen Consultancy Limited. This role involved providing consultancy services to FinTech and Crypto businesses to support their early-stage growth, including technical help, expert guidance, resources, and capital. Brett started this role in July 2021.

Brett previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Fintek Ninjas Limited from February 2022 to May 2023. In this role, they held the responsibility of overseeing the company's operations and leading its growth.

Before their CEO positions, Brett held various roles at Greensill, including Vice Chairman (Working with the Administrators) from March 2021 to December 2021, and Vice Chairman (Sabbatical Leave) from November 2020 to March 2021. Brett also served as the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and Money Laundering Counterparty (MLCP) from June 2018 to May 2020, and as the Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer (CRO) from May 2015 to June 2018. In these positions, they were responsible for risk management, building risk management systems and policies, and overseeing the firm's risks.

Earlier in their career, Brett worked at Citi as the Director, Trade Credit Risk Manager EMEA, Senior Credit Officer from October 2010 to May 2015. Brett'sresponsibilities included regional deal review, credit risk business approvals, and co-developing policies and procedures for Commodity Trade Finance.

Brett also has experience with Commerzbank AG as a Senior Credit Officer from November 2008 to October 2010, and with Barclays Wealth as a Credit Structurer, AD from September 2007 to November 2008. Additionally, Brett worked at Citi as a Senior Credit Officer, VP from May 2004 to August 2007, where they held senior credit approval authority and managed credit analyst teams.

Brett has been actively involved in professional organizations as well, including Toastmasters International, where they were a Member of Citi Criers and Trustmasters from January 2013 to April 2015.

Brett Downes has a diverse education history, demonstrating their commitment to continuous learning and development. Brett'seducational journey began in 1987 at The University of Queensland, where they pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. During their time at the university, they also pursued additional fields of study, including languages, computer science, and politics.

After completing their LLB degree in 1993, Brett went on to further enhance their knowledge and skills in the field of finance by obtaining a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance from the Securities Institute of Australia in 1998. This certification solidified their proficiency in applied finance, which would later contribute to their professional success.

In 2002, Brett pursued a Masters in Applied Finance and Investment at Macquarie University, deepening their expertise in the financial industry. This degree allowed him to gain specialized knowledge and skills in the areas of finance and investment.

Realizing the importance of staying up-to-date with industry practices, Brett attended the Melbourne Business School in 2006, where they completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PDM). This diploma provided him with a comprehensive understanding of business management principles, enabling him to effectively lead and manage teams in their professional career.

Recognizing the growing significance of compliance and anti-money laundering practices, Brett pursued a Diploma in Anti Money Laundering from the International Compliance Association in 2018. This qualification showcased their commitment to upholding ethical standards and ensuring regulatory compliance in financial settings.

Continuing their professional development in the field of negotiation and leadership, Brett attended Harvard Law School in 2020. There, they completed a degree program in Negotiation and Leadership, further honing their skills in business negotiation and leadership.

In the same year, Brett also undertook another program at Harvard Law School, known as "The Art of Saying No: Save the Deal, Save the Relationship, and Still Say No." This program equipped him with valuable insights and strategies for effective negotiation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining relationships while successfully navigating challenging situations.

Furthermore, Brett's commitment to continuous professional growth is reflected in their additional certification. Brett obtained ICA Professional Membership from the International Compliance Association in February 2023, emphasizing their ongoing dedication to staying updated with industry standards and best practices.

Brett Downes' educational background and commitment to continuous learning indicate their drive for professional excellence and their aspiration to continuously contribute to the fields of business negotiation, leadership, compliance, and finance.

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Timeline

  • Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and MLRO

    July, 2021 - present