Asia Financial Crime Risk Assessment Roundtable – in Partnership with Themis

Themis are a recognised financial crime specialist providing financial services firms with threat-based financial crime research on the latest techniques employed by criminals and the financial crime risks associated with specific industries and jurisdictions. They have a reputation for delivering insightful panel discussions with financial crime experts on discrete threats, industries and jurisdictions. Furthermore, their financial crime risk research of operating in and with customers and partners in higher risk jurisdictions provides the requisite information in a clear and concise format to conduct country risk assessments in line with market best practice and regulatory requirements.

Nadia manages the Themis Insight team, working on threat-based analysis of a variety of topics related to financial crime, including Themis' jurisdictional risk programme. Nadia has a diverse background in international affairs and research. Prior to joining Themis, she completed assignments at the United Nations, FTI Consulting, NATO Parliamentary Assembly and European Commission. Nadia has a dual master’s from the London School of Economics and Sciences Po, Paris, and a Double First Class undergraduate degree from the University of Cambridge, all in the sphere of International Relations.

Henry is a financial crime researcher in the Themis Insight team, with a general focus on global illicit finance threats to the private and public sectors. He has conducted research projects on private sector exposure to environmental crime risk, potential applications of artificial intelligence for both money laundering and anti-money laundering, and the connections between international commodities trade and illicit financial flows. His experience with Themis includes projects for government, law enforcement and investigative agencies, as well as private-sector partners across financial and non-financial sectors.

Hugh Thomas is Consul for Illicit Finance Policy for Hong Kong and mainland China. He is based at the British Consulate-General Hong Kong. As part of the UK Government’s international Illicit Finance Network, Hugh’s is focused on building collaborative relationships with industry, civil society and host Governments to understand and confront illicit finance challenges. Before joining the British Consulate-General Hong Kong, Hugh worked for HM Treasury in London.

Ian McDonald is currently an Associate Director for Financial Crime Strategy for the Government of Jersey. In this role he acts as the national coordinator for Jersey between financial crime agencies, including States of Jersey Police, Law Officers Department, Financial Intelligence Unit and Viscount’s Department. This work involves the development of policy, legislation and risk assessments relating to national financial crime threats and vulnerabilities, as well as the planning, implementation and evaluation of a national programme aimed at measuring and improving performance of key agencies in the areas of money laundering/terrorist financing investigation and prosecution; financial intelligence collation and dissemination; and criminal asset recovery. Most recently Ian has been part of the Government of Jersey’s preparations for the Mutual Evaluation of Jersey’s AML/CFT/CPF regime by the Council of Europe (MONEYVAL) in respect of the implementation of the FATF standards.

Sasha currently serves as the Director for Financial Crimes Legal at Barclays Asia and Middle East. In that role, Sasha advises clients on a broad-spectrum of Financial Crime matters that affect the business on a day-to-day basis. Prior to joining Barclays, Sasha worked at American Express Global Business Travel, where she served as Chief Compliance Officer for the company’s international operations.
Sasha has worked as in-house counsel in APAC for the last 14 years, focusing on areas of law such as economic sanctions, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and data privacy. Sasha regularly supports thought leadership in the industry in APAC on financial crime developments impacting the region.
Sasha received her BA from Barnard College, Columbia University and her law degree from Brooklyn Law School, both in New York City. She now lives in Hong Kong with her husband and two children.

Natalie is a senior financial services regulatory and fintech lawyer with over 20 years' experience. Having practised in four Asia-Pacific jurisdictions and been seconded to the Cayman Islands, Natalie has a unique understanding of the various regulatory regimes and challenges that apply to financial institutions, fintech clients and virtual asset service providers (VASP) operating in the APAC region and beyond.
Formerly a partner at a leading international law firm, Natalie recently joined Walkers in Hong Kong to further strengthen Walkers' regulatory risk and advisory practice groups in Asia.