Stephen Balonwu

Stephen Balonwu has a strong background in risk and compliance within the financial industry. Stephen currently serves as the Chief Risk Compliance & MLRO Officer at WH Ireland, where they lead the Risk and Compliance team. Stephen has successfully guided the firm through challenging times and fostered a collaborative relationship between the Compliance department and business stakeholders.

Prior to their current role, Stephen was the Head of Regulatory Compliance at EFG Bank, where they managed a team overseeing regulatory obligations for the UK and Channel Island region. Stephen also held a position at Deutsche Bank as the Director Market Advisory Equity Structuring and Retail Distribution, where they implemented a Compliance Controls Framework and provided guidance on regulations and market conduct rules.

Stephen's experience also includes roles at Bank of Ireland as a Senior Financial Service Lawyer, where they managed legal and regulatory risk across their UK business franchise. Stephen was previously the Head of Legal Private Bank at Standard Chartered Bank, overseeing legal and regulatory activities across multiple booking centers. Additionally, they held senior legal positions at Citigroup and Citibank N.A, supporting various investment platforms and retail bank liability products.

Earlier in their career, Stephen worked as a Senior Legal Adviser at Winterthur Life, where they handled corporate and commercial transactions, managed a compliance team, and provided advice on regulatory investment, insurance, and fund issues. Overall, Stephen Balonwu has demonstrated expertise in risk and compliance management, regulatory guidance, and fostering collaborative relationships within the financial industry.

Stephen Balonwu studied Law at the University of Kent and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. Stephen then pursued further education at King's College London, where they completed a Master of Laws (LLM) in Commercial International Trade. Additionally, they earned a Management Diploma from the University of Reading.