Jamie Killilea, Co-Founder of CGI Consultancy and Head of Global Compliance

Jamie Killilea
Head of Global Compliance
Co-Founder of CGI Consultancy

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CGI (Corporate Growth Intelligence) — ourcgi.com
Head of Global Compliance | Co-Founder
Oct 2025 – Present | Dubai, UAE · Hybrid
Business partner and compliance lead at CGI Consultancy — an execution-led financial services advisory firm.
Oversees compliance strategy, governance frameworks, and regulatory alignment for CGI and its clients across the MENAT region.
Delivers bespoke compliance, AML/CTF advisory, and risk management solutions to regulated firms, SMEs, and private clients.

HSBC Middle East — Full-time | 19 years 4 months | On-site
Senior Manager, Risk Strategy, Financial Crime Compliance
Oct 2020 – Apr 2025 (4 yrs 7 mos) | Dubai, UAE
Developed and implemented regional risk-based FCC/AML/CTF frameworks, policies, and controls.
Conducted control testing, gap analysis, and Quality Assurance to identify process deficiencies and drive remedial actions.
Coordinated Financial Crime Risk Appetite Statement (RAS) exercises; monitored risk tolerances and escalated breaches to senior management and regulators.
Acted as trusted FCC advisor to business stakeholders; challenged activities exceeding risk tolerance.
Prepared and presented risk/compliance reports and MI to senior leadership and the Board.

Senior Strategy Manager, Financial Crime Compliance Investigations
Aug 2017 – Oct 2020 (3 yrs 3 mos) | Dubai, UAE
Provided strategic leadership in enterprise-wide FCC/AML/CTF and oversaw suspicious activity investigations.
Conducted QA on compliance/investigation activities; drove monitoring programs and championed compliance culture.
Championed public-private partnerships with UAE law enforcement; managed regulatory stakeholder interactions.
Acted as audit liaison; led SMART remediation of findings across retail, corporate, trade, and investigations.

Senior Manager, Governance & Reporting, Financial Crime Compliance
Jan 2015 – Aug 2017 (2 yrs 8 mos) | UAE
Drafted and refined FCC policies, SOPs, and controls; led regulatory gap analysis and Quality Assurance.
Streamlined corporate licensing: reduced training costs by $50,000 YoY, increased participation by 200%, and certified 40 investigators.
Liaised with the UAE Central Bank for legacy reporting optimisation, achieving ongoing time and cost savings.

Senior Analyst, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)
Jan 2014 – Dec 2014 (1 yr) | Dubai, UAE
Directed case intake and assessment of financial crime typologies: Fraud, Sanctions, ML, TF, Bribery & Corruption, and Tax Evasion.
Produced reports and briefings for stakeholders; ensured timely SAR preparation and filing per regulations.

Manager, Regional Risk Identification, Assessment & Mitigation
Jan 2010 – Dec 2013 (4 yrs) | Dubai, UAE
Led internal controls for new and existing products; conducted regulatory gap analysis and breach reporting to UAE Central Bank and DFSA.
Achieved Top Rated status in HSBC's Global Premier Mystery Shopping Program (MENAT Top 10, 2012–2014).

Business Development Manager
Jan 2006 – Dec 2009 (4 yrs) | Dubai, UAE
Established HSBC's first outbound sales division; grew team from 4 to 40 to support business development objectives.
Drove YoY growth in loans, cards, and insurance through targeted cross-sell initiatives.
Optimised a power dialler strategy, improving sales-to-contact ratio from 12% to 66%.

HFC Bank — West Midlands, United Kingdom
Department Manager
Sep 2000 – Mar 2006 (5 yrs 7 mos) | West Midlands, England, UK
Managed a diverse business development portfolio focused on unsecured and secured lending with a strong insurance ethos.
LICENCES & CERTIFICATIONS
Certification Issuing Body Issued
ICA Certificate in Financial Crime Risk International Compliance Association Dec 2024
ICA Certificate in Digital Compliance Risk International Compliance Association Oct 2023
ICA Certificate in Compliance Risk International Compliance Association Jan 2021
ABOUT CGI — CO-FOUNDED BY JAMIE
CGI (ourcgi.com) — Execution-led consultancy, Dubai (IFZA Free Zone)
CGI is a boutique advisory and delivery firm combining institutional rigour with founder-led practicality. One senior accountable lead per mandate. Services span fractional leadership, compliance advisory, market entry, corporate structuring, NED placement, and a startup incubator. Operating across UAE, UK, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Singapore, South Africa, and Malaysia.
EDUCATION
Buckinghamshire New University | United Kingdom

Results-driven, MLRO-eligible Risk & Compliance Leader with 20+ years in financial services across banking and insurance in the UAE, GCC, and UK. Deep expertise in AML/CTF, financial crime compliance frameworks, quality assurance, control testing, and gap analysis. Proven track record in second-line oversight, regulatory stakeholder management, and breach remediation — ensuring alignment with UAE Central Bank and DFSA expectations. Now channelling that institutional knowledge as Head of Global Compliance and Co-Founder at CGI, a boutique advisory consultancy helping regulated firms and SMEs grow with clarity and governance.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
AML / CTF Compliance Risk Strategy & Frameworks Financial Crime Investigations
Regulatory Compliance (DFSA / UAE CB) Governance & Reporting Fraud & Sanctions
SME Advisory & Business Growth Market Entry & Structuring Fractional Leadership