With Jersey continuing to prepare for the forthcoming MONEYVAL assessment next year, Government of Jersey has appointed a new person to head up the Jersey Financial Intelligence Unit.
Jonathan Groom, has been appointed to lead the FIU in a bold new direction, as it looks to separate from being part of the States of Jersey Police (SoJP) Joint Financial Crimes Unit (JFCU).
A career intelligencer, Jonathan has worked in both the public and private sector and has extensive experience in roles which have dealt with financial crime and its prevention. His most recent roles have included as Director and Head of Secretariat of The Wolfsberg Group, a Senior Advisor at Deloitte, Chair at the Joint Money laundering Intelligence Team (JMLIT) Working Groups, and Director of Anti Money Laundering at HSBC.
Speaking at the recent Government Financial Services industry event at the Radisson Hotel in Jersey, Jonathan outlined his vision for transforming the FIU from a domestically focused agency looking at only financial crime reporting in Jersey, to a more outwardly focused intelligence agency.
Jonathan commented:
"Jersey is a recognised International Finance Centre (IFC) and so it is only natural that it's primary industry (financial services) is protected from those who may look to tarnish it's reputation as a well regulated and respected jurisdiction. The FIU will look to transform itself and focus on collaboration and international partnerships to actively protect the financial services industry.
Having worked in both public and private sectors, I've always thought that FIUs could do more, so now is the opportunity to shape Jersey's FIU in what I believe it should be, to become an internationally recognised FIU and most importantly, support the island and the financial services industry.
It will take time, but I'm confident that we can create a new and evolved FIU."
Government of Jersey's Director of Financial Crime George Permian commented:
Jonathan's appointment outlines Government of Jersey;s commitment to combatting financial crime. But in addition, I think it outlines our intention to create an independent FIU that under Jonathan's leadership will evolve to meet our international requirements for regulation and better position the island and it's financial services industry. We welcome him and look forward to supporting him and the FIU in its transformational journey.
Jonathan replaces Louise Clayson who was appointed at Interim Head of FIU in July 2022, following the departure of Jason Carpenter - Acting Head of FIU in 2022.