Accomplished sanctions and counter-terrorism professional to drive ACAMS outreach with governments and private sector globally

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) will further amplify its global sanctions outreach work with the appointment of seasoned sanctions and financial integrity executive Dr. Justine Walker as Head of Global Sanctions and Risk, a newly created position at the organization. Dr. Walker was previously the Director of Sanctions Policy at UK Finance; her role at ACAMS is effective January 8, 2020.

The appointment comes soon after the launch of a global sanctions certification – Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS) – ACAMS’ first new exam-based certification since the industry gold-standard CAMS was launched 16 years ago.

ACAMS will leverage Walker’s considerable knowledge and international reputation as a global specialist in economic sanctions to lead and inspire critical industry and public-sector relationships, including engagement with key international bodies and think tanks. ACAMS currently has more than 75,000 members present in more than 175 countries.

“Justine joins ACAMS at an inflection point as global sanctions programs and regimes demand a heightened awareness and focus on new policies and geopolitical challenges,” said Rohit Sharma, CAMS, president and managing director of ACAMS. “As a leading subject matter specialist on global sanctions implementation, she brings tremendous value and expertise to our global community of anti-financial crime professionals and will help forge strong public-private partnerships that have the ability to shape the industry.”

The former chair of the European Banking Federation Sanctions Expert Group, a position she held from 2015 until December 2019, Walker has held specialist policy positions in the United Kingdom at the Financial Services Authority and the Treasury’s Counter Terrorist and Proliferation Financing Branch. She has further acted as an International Monetary Fund advisor on the Nigerian anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing capacity building program. Formerly based in Central Asia with the United Nations, she has also worked on programs surrounding weapons and drug trafficking, corruption and terrorist financing, and has served as a national expert on the financing of weapons of mass destruction matters. Walker was nominated for the ‘Outstanding Female Professional’ category of the Tackling Economic Crime Awards 2019.

Walker holds a Ph.D. from the University of St. Andrews and an M.Sc. from the University of Edinburgh.