Abhishek Thakur

Senior Supervisor Financial Crime Governance & Oversight @Financial Conduct Authority

London, GB

Senior Supervisor – Financial Crime Governance & Oversight (Dec 2018 – Present)As a Senior Supervisor within the Payments and Retail Banking portfolios, I lead the regulatory oversight of anti-fraud and financial crime frameworks for a diverse range of Tier 1 Banks, E-Money Institutions (EMIs), and Payment Service Providers. My role is centered on ensuring that the UK’s financial system remains resilient against evolving threats while fostering innovation and fair competition.Key Areas of Influence:Setting Supervisory Benchmarks: I design and implement the methodologies used to assess firm-wide financial crime systems. By mapping technical controls directly to JMLSG guidance and UK Money Laundering Regulations, I establish the \"Gold Standard\" for what effective compliance looks like in a digital-first economy.Thematic Leadership & Publication: I was the Lead Author of the FCA’s 2025 Multi-Firm Review on Combating Romance Fraud. This work involved auditing the anti-fraud logic of major institutions and defining sector-wide expectations for detection, prevention, and the support of vulnerable victims.Strategic Remediation: I direct high-stakes mandated remedial plans (S166 style) for firms with identified control failures. I work closely with executive boards to ensure that technology uplifts in Transaction Monitoring and Sanctions Screening are not just compliant, but operationally robust.National System Collaboration: I represent the FCA in cross-agency initiatives with the NCA, NECC, and PSR, ensuring a unified national response to APP Fraud and international money laundering typologies.By bridging the gap between high-level policy (e.g, Consumer Duty, PSR PS23/3) and technical execution, I help firms transform their compliance functions into strategic assets that protect both the business and its customers.