Secure Trust Bank : has appointed Geoff Howard Head of Financial Crime and MLRO

Geoff will be responsible for the development and sustainability of the Group's Financial Crime Framework, as well as the advisory and oversight function that ensures it is effective.

Geoff joins Secure Trust Bank from Santander, where he was Head of Governance, Oversight and Advisory for the UK. He has previously held roles leading Financial Crime at HSBC for the Retail Bank across Europe, the Middle East and the UK. Prior to that he gained extensive experience in the UK and international banking and insurance sectors holding roles in: Distribution, Product Development and Strategy.

As MLRO for Secure Trust Bank Group, Geoff will report into Kevin Hayes, Chief Risk Officer for the bank. Commenting on the creation of the new position, Kevin said; 'All banks play an incredibly important role in helping to combat financial crime and we take our responsibilities very seriously. We have created this new position to give additional focus and resource to an area that continues to grow in importance for both regulators and customers. Following an extensive search we are delighted to have Geoff on board to lead this strategically important area and have carved out the existing team as a separate function to support him.'

Geoff added; 'I am really proud to be taking on the role of MLRO at Secure Trust Bank. It is evident that the Group takes risk extremely seriously and its values reinforce this. I am grateful to the previous MLRO, Paul Kilbride, who remains at the Bank in his role as Chief Compliance Officer, for all the excellent work he has done. I am inheriting a strong team to continue his work. Key priorities for me will be to ensure we become a Force For Good in tackling financial crime and give back to society by placing strong systems and controls within the business which address risks inherent in our day to day activities.'