Quarterly Members Meeting - 13 March 2025

This event takes place against a backdrop of significant geopolitical uncertainty, with escalating threats to international peace and security driving foreign policy responses that increasingly rely on economic restrictions as a solution. These measures continue to expand in scope, targeting new sectors that have not previously needed to implement robust compliance programmes to manage their risks.

The focus will be on helping companies navigate the evolving sanctions landscape while preparing for future challenges through effective horizon scanning. Discussions will provide insights into:

• Managing geopolitical uncertainty: Exploring the impact of unpredictable geopolitical shifts on internal sanctions risk management, including advice for firms with a global footprint on how to manage potential divergence in sanctions regimes. A particular focus on recent US sanctions developments under the Trump administration will be a key topic of discussion.
• Expanding UK designations: An examination of the UK’s growing focus on thematic sanctions regimes, including those targeting corruption and human trafficking, and their implications for corporate risk management.
• Operationalising novel economic restrictions: Practical strategies for adapting existing financial crime frameworks to accommodate new economic restrictions, which necessitate controls that go beyond traditional sanctions and payment screening solutions.
• Leveraging resources creatively: Insights into addressing common challenges by using existing technology and expertise across organisations to break down silos and optimise resources.
• Understanding UK regulatory expectations: Guidance on what UK regulators expect in practice and how firms can meet these requirements effectively.

The expert panel will share their experiences, delivering a unique discussion focused on financial services horizon scanning. The panel will explore the key challenges facing the industry and propose actionable solutions to overcome them. The meeting will be interactive, combining panel discussions with audience participation. Attendees are also invited to submit questions in advance. To ensure open and candid dialogue, the meeting will operate under Chatham House Rules, with no press representation.

Date: 13 March 2025
Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm, followed by refreshments and networking
Location: Sidley Austin LLP 70 St Mary Axe, City of London, London EC3A 8BE

Speakers

• Chloe Cina- International Sanctions lawyer and Senior Associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute
• OFSI – TBC
• Chris Lock - Partner at Sidley Austin for complex regulatory and ex Deputy Director Department of Business and Trade
• Tech supplier- TBC
• Stephen Lockwood - Director at FCR Compliance, Financial Crime expert including previous roles as Director of Regulatory investigation at Rio Tinto, FCA Wholesale enforcement and Financial Crime Supervisor 
• Simran Bharaj (moderator) - Director at GKSB Consultancy, Financial Crime SME/Troubleshooter and complex advisory, including being an ex FCA Financial Crime Supervisor

Agenda

• 5:30pm - 6:00pm: Arrival and refreshments
• 6:00pm - 7:00pm: Panel presentation and discussion
• 7:00pm - 8:30pm: Networking

We look forward to delivering an exceptional panel discussion and welcome audience participation.

This meeting is open to members and their guests. If you’d like to register a guest, kindly email us. Not yet a member? Join us and gain access to this valuable session!