Aqovia

Group Compliance Officer

Aqovia

Why Aqovia? At the intersection of innovation and impact, meet Aqovia. Aqovia is a UK-based technology and investment firm, headquartered in London, dedicated to creating tangible value through AI-driven, data-powered, and bespoke software solutions. Operating at the nexus of technology, finance, and regulation, we combine deep technical capability with strong governance to build scalable, future-ready businesses. We don’t just deliver services, we invest strategically in and nurture a portfolio of innovative companies across key sectors including financial services, digital assets, infrastructure management, sustainability, education, and business intelligence. As part of our international growth strategy, Aqovia is expanding its footprint from the UK and Europe into the GCC, building the next generation of fintech, digital asset, and AI-led compliance solutions. To support this expansion, we are seeking an experienced Group Compliance Officer to lead our regulatory strategy across the UK, UAE, and wider GCC, ensuring alignment with both UK/EU and regional regulatory frameworks. Role Overview The Group Compliance Officer will establish, lead, and oversee a robust, multi-jurisdictional compliance framework supporting Aqovia’s UK-based operations and its fintech and digital asset activities in the UAE and wider GCC. This role ensures compliance with UK regulatory requirements (including FCA expectations, AML/CTF obligations, and EMI-related frameworks where applicable), while also overseeing adherence to UAE and GCC regulations, including VARA, ADGM FSRA, DIFC DFSA, and CBUAE, alongside global standards such as MiCA and FATF. The successful candidate will act as a senior regulatory liaison across jurisdictions, supporting licensing, governance, and risk management for Aqovia’s regulated and soon-to-be-regulated activities. Key Responsibilities Design and implement a group-wide compliance framework covering UK, UAE, and GCC fintech and digital asset operations. Ensure compliance with UK FCA expectations, AML/CTF regulations, sanctions regimes, and governance standards, alongside GCC regulatory requirements (VARA, ADGM FSRA, DIFC DFSA, CBUAE). Oversee AML/CFT programs, including customer due diligence, ongoing monitoring, suspicious activity reporting, and internal/external regulatory audits. Advise senior leadership on compliance implications for digital asset products, tokenisation initiatives, AI-driven fintech solutions, and data governance. Ensure alignment with MiCA, FATF, UK AML regulations, and international best practices to support cross-border operations and regulatory interoperability. Lead and manage relationships with UK regulators (e.g., FCA) and UAE/GCC regulators, handling licensing applications, regulatory submissions, inspections, and ongoing supervision. Collaborate closely with the MLRO, legal, product, and operational teams to embed a strong culture of compliance, ethical conduct, and risk awareness. Monitor regulatory developments across the UK, EU, GCC, and global digital asset landscape, providing strategic insights to future-proof Aqovia’s business and portfolio companies. Qualifications Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law, Finance, Business, Risk, or Compliance; professional certifications such as ICA, ACAMS, CCO, or equivalent are strongly preferred. 7–10+ years’ experience in senior compliance roles within fintech, digital assets, EMI, payments, or regulated financial services, ideally spanning UK and international markets. Strong working knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks (FCA expectations, AML/CTF, sanctions, governance), with deep understanding of VARA, ADGM FSRA, DIFC DFSA, and CBUAE. Familiarity with MiCA, FATF, and cross-border regulatory alignment for crypto-assets and digital finance. Proven experience building and scaling compliance functions in high-growth, innovative environments. Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at board...