Integress is a compliance advisory and training consultancy designed for financial services and payments firms operating in regulated industries.
We provide bespoke compliance, governance and risk management solutions so that you can be confident you are protecting your clients, your organisation and your reputation.
Integress was founded by Azy Shojaeian Prof. PgDip (GRC), a highly skilled compliance expert with over 16 years of control function leadership at multinational financial services organisations.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE & RISK ASSESSMENT
Our commercial and practical approach to building sturdy governance structures and reporting processes include the formulation of a meaningful risk assessment and risk register which can be monitored on an ongoing basis by your risk committee.
COMPLIANCE ADVISORY & SUPPORT SERVICES
We navigate complex FCA regulations and translate them into operational applications. Our main focus in recent years has been 4MLD, PSD2, GDPR and MiFID2 as well as helping firms to prepare for regulatory visits and interviews.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING & FINANCIAL CRIME
From detection of suspicious activity and evidence gathering to successful prosecution and stakeholder relations, we help protect your firm. This involves designing a meaningful risk-based approach for your client onboarding and ongoing monitoring.
REGULATORY
AUTHORISATION
We work with your firm to ensure that all your applications are thoroughly and accurately completed and submitted with the aim of getting you fully authorised as soon as possible. We recently acted in this regard for a London crypto-exchange.
CLIENT MONEY SAFE GUARDING
Whether you operate investment funds, hedge funds, trusts or any other investment vehicle where custody is an issue, we can scrutinise your financial operations to ensure that you comply with all legislation related to client money management.
REGULATORY
REPORTING
We can provide regulatory and transaction reporting covering EMIR, FATCA and MiFID2. Other services include operating model design, global compliance risk assessments and selection of clearing brokers or vendors.
CRYPTOCURRENCIES AND DIGITAL ASSETS
Having performed the role of Chief Compliance Officer for one of London’s leading crypto-exchanges and achieved FCA regulatory approval for the firm, Integress is uniquely placed to help your organisation navigate the compliance requirements of this emerging asset class.
Working with regulators
Integress was able to guide the crypto-exchange through the regulatory process, working closely with the FCA to establish which regulated and non-regulated activities were taking place. This approach involved implementing the relevant anti-money laundering regimes and procedures to combat financial crime, as well as gaining the confidence of the regulator in order to achieve regulatory approval for the client.
Enabling digital custody
As more institutional investors enter the crypto space, digital custody of assets is becoming a big issue. Businesses need to ensure that their custody procedures are compliant with the regulator’s rules in order to hold digital assets. Having worked with the FCA’s innovation team on exactly that, Integress is perfectly placed to assist you in doing the same.
Teaching and training
Integress uses its unique position as a cryptocurrency compliance specialist to help teach and train others within the industry. Few consultancies have the hands-on experience of Integress, which is why we are developing training courses for organisations and individuals who can see the growing importance of cryptocurrency compliance within financial services.
WE CAN HELP WITH
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Design of a risk-based approach that considers commercial plans and fits your firm’s ethos.
BESPOKE SOLUTIONS
Compliance policies and procedures that reflect your firm and don’t rely on off the shelf documents.
TRAINING AND TEACHING
Anti Money Laundering, financial crime avoidance and cryptocurrency compliance for every level of employee.
GDPR COMPLIANCE
Data protection for GDPR compliance that includes Data Protection Officer responsibilities and ongoing project management.
MANAGING CONTROL FUNCTIONS
Control Function roles (CF10 & CF11) and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), either in-house or outsourced to us.
GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES
Implementation of governance structures that set the tone from the top and promote good practice.
RISK ASSESSMENTS
Risk identification, analysis and mitigation, as well as meaningful risk registers to protect your firm.
REGULATORY REVIEW PREPARATION
Preparation for regulatory visits, either in a routine or under review scenario, where we act as your trusted advisors.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Design of a risk-based approach that considers commercial plans and fits your firm’s ethos.
BESPOKE SOLUTIONS
Compliance policies and procedures that reflect your firm and don’t rely on off the shelf documents.
TRAINING AND TEACHING
Anti Money Laundering, financial crime avoidance and cryptocurrency compliance for every level of employee.
GDPR COMPLIANCE
Data protection for GDPR compliance that includes Data Protection Officer responsibilities and ongoing project management.
MANAGING CONTROL FUNCTIONS
Control Function roles (CF10 & CF11) and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), either in-house or outsourced to us.
GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES
Implementation of governance structures that set the tone from the top and promote good practice.
RISK ASSESSMENTS
Risk identification, analysis and mitigation, as well as meaningful risk registers to protect your firm.
REGULATORY REVIEW PREPARATION
Preparation for regulatory visits, either in a routine or under review scenario, where we act as your trusted advisors.
Wisdom is knowing the right path to take.
Integrity is taking it.
Prof PgDip (GRC) | Founder and CEO
“I strive to develop engaged and high-performing teams that deliver world-class results. As the gatekeeper of regulations, I know how important it is to be at the forefront of understanding changes and translating them into operational requirements. It is truly rewarding to be able to fully apply my knowledge and experience in this way to safeguard businesses and the public.”
Control Function Leadership
Founder and CEO Azy Shojaeian has over 16 years experience of control function leadership in governance, risk and compliance at multinational organisations within the financial sector. Having held the control functions of CF10, CF11 and Nominated Officer (MLRO) for the FCA and HMRC Anti-Money-Laundering regulations, Azy has successfully lead compliance within large organisations, transformed startups into viable commercial enterprises and delivered significant transformation programmes.
Anti-Money Laundering Expertise
Azy is skilled at translating compliance legislations and regulations from the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for operational use. Having worked as a Money Laundering Reporting Officer, one of her areas of expertise is identifying and managing cases of attempted money laundering. She has worked directly with the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police and has been involved in facilitating the prosecution of a chain of serious organised crimes.
PSD and GDPR Experience
As Chief Compliance Officer and MLRO, Azy has taken four startups through the FCA approval process for obtaining regulatory licenses within the Payment Services Directive (APIs & EMIs). During the rollout of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR 2018), Azy also helped financial services firms and charitable organisations through the changes in regulation. She has held Data Protection Officer (DPO) responsibilities and has experience of both overseeing implementations and hands-on project management.
Compliance Qualifications
Azy’s dedication to ensuring the highest standards of compliance in the organisations she works with drove her to pursue an International Compliance Association (ICA) Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance. This diploma is awarded to professionals who demonstrate the highest level of specialist skill and knowledge in this field. Part of her dedication includes ensuring that she is always up-to-date with new regulations and industry trends.
Prof PgDip (GRC) | Founder and CEO
Control Function Leadership
Founder and CEO Azy Shojaeian has over 16 years experience of control function leadership in governance, risk and compliance at multinational organisations within the financial sector. Having held the control functions of CF10, CF11 and Nominated Officer (MLRO) for the FCA and HMRC Anti-Money-Laundering regulations, Azy has successfully lead compliance within large organisations, transformed startups into viable commercial enterprises and delivered significant transformation programmes.
Anti-Money Laundering Expertise
Azy is skilled at translating compliance legislations and regulations from the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for operational use. Having worked as a Money Laundering Reporting Officer, one of her areas of expertise is identifying and managing cases of attempted money laundering. She has worked directly with the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police and has been involved in facilitating the prosecution of a chain of serious organised crimes.
PSD and GDPR Experience
As Chief Compliance Officer and MLRO, Azy has taken four startups through the FCA approval process for obtaining regulatory licenses within the Payment Services Directive (APIs & EMIs). During the rollout of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR 2018), Azy also helped financial services firms and charitable organisations through the changes in regulation. She has held Data Protection Officer (DPO) responsibilities and has experience of both overseeing implementations and hands-on project management.
Compliance Qualifications
Azy’s dedication to ensuring the highest standards of compliance in the organisations she works with drove her to pursue an International Compliance Association (ICA) Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance. This diploma is awarded to professionals who demonstrate the highest level of specialist skill and knowledge in this field. Part of her dedication includes ensuring that she is always up-to-date with new regulations and industry trends.
AZY'S UNIQUE STRENGTHS
START UP EXPERIENCE
Azy can help new firms where there is a lack of regulatory procedures, funding or qualified staff in place, as well as with vendor selection and banking relationships.
COMMERCIAL ACUMEN
Azy has a strong commercial background and an expert knowledge of banking language. She can harmonise your relationship with your key banking partners.
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY KNOWLEDGE
Azy has a full understanding of financial management and can combine her compliance and regulatory knowledge with this to build a compliance function that will help your firm succeed.
C-SUITE INTERACTION
Azy has held control function responsibilities since 2011, making her both experienced and comfortable working with c-suite executives and company boards.
HANDS-ON APPROACH
Azy has a ‘get the job done’ attitude that enables her to work autonomously while remaining engaged with senior managers within an organisation.
EXPERT FACILITATION
Azy is approachable, enthusiastic and enjoys working with people. She is a strong relationship builder who creates collaborative environments while delivering compliance initiatives.
START UP CHALLENGES
Azy can help new firms where there is a lack of regulatory procedures, funding or qualified staff in place, as well as with vendor selection and banking relationships.
HANDS-ON APPROACH
Azy has a ‘get the job done’ attitude that enables her to work autonomously while remaining engaged with senior managers within an organisation.
COMMERCIAL ACUMEN
Azy has a strong commercial background and an expert knowledge of banking language. She can harmonise your relationship with your key banking partners.
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY KNOWLEDGE
Azy has a full understanding of financial management and can combine her compliance and regulatory knowledge with this to build a compliance function that will help your firm succeed.
C-SUITE INTERACTION
Azy has held control function responsibilities since 2011, making her both experienced and comfortable working with c-suite executives and company boards.
EXPERT FACILITATION
Azy is approachable, enthusiastic and enjoys working with people. She is a strong relationship builder who creates collaborative environments while delivering compliance initiatives.
CRYPTOCURRENCIES AND DIGITAL ASSETS
Having performed the role of Chief Compliance Officer for one of London’s best known crypto-exchanges and achieved FCA regulatory approval for the firm, Integress is uniquely placed to help your organisation navigate the compliance requirements of this emerging asset class.
Working with regulators
Integress was able to guide the crypto-exchange through the regulatory process, working closely with the FCA to establish which regulated and non-regulated activities were taking place. This approach involved implementing the relevant anti-money laundering regimes and procedures to combat financial crime, as well as gaining the confidence of the regulator in order to achieve regulatory approval for the client.
Enabling digital custody
As more institutional investors enter the crypto space, digital custody of assets is becoming a big issue. Businesses need to ensure that their custody procedures are compliant with the regulator’s rules in order to hold digital assets. Having worked with the FCA’s innovation team on exactly that, Integress is perfectly placed to assist you in doing the same.
Teaching and training
Integress uses its unique position as a cryptocurrency compliance specialist to help teach and train others within the industry. Few consultancies have the hands-on experience of Integress, which is why we are developing training courses for organisations and individuals who can see the growing importance of cryptocurrency compliance within financial services.
MEMBERS OF
Integress Compliance Advisory & Training
14 Austin Friars
London
United Kingdom
EC2N 2HE
Mobile: +44 (0)79 2028 0204
Landline: +44 (0)203 654 4490
azy@integress.co.uk