Partner, Head of CDD, EDD and Customer Screening

Overview

We are Knight Frank, a leading independent real estate consultancy. Founded in 1896, Knight Frank operates in over 50 markets with 600+ offices and 20,000+ people, supported by a global network. We are committed to integrity, client service, and distinctive real estate advice across all sectors.

About

The Role . We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded senior leader to take on the role of Partner, Head Partner, of CDD, EDD and Customer Screening
. This position will set the strategic direction for our firm’s financial crime risk management programme, ensuring compliance with UK and international regulations while enabling sustainable business growth. You will act as the firm’s subject matter expert, representing us with regulators, industry bodies, and high-profile clients.

At Knight Frank, we believe that property is personal. We’re a collaborative partnership with over 125 years of experience, with offices worldwide, and a focus on delivering client-centric property advice.

• Strategic Leadership
• Define and execute the financial crime strategy of the function, and across all service lines, ensuring alignment with the firm’s business objectives and risk appetite.
• Advise Senior Leadership, and Partners on financial crime matters, client risk, emerging risks, and industry best practices.
• Provide thought leadership in relation to financial crime risk, client risk (including reputational risk), and best practice.
• Be curious: explore, sponsor and foster the development of new technology to drive efficiency, manage risk, and provide better customer outcomes.

• Regulatory & Risk Management
• Oversee and monitor compliance with Financial Crime risks pertinent to Knight Frank globally, including AML, CTF, sanctions, fraud prevention, anti-bribery/corruption legislation and Tax evasion.
• Serve as the SME for CDD & EDD within the business, and the financial crime team.
• Ensure effective client onboarding and ongoing monitoring, with proportionate risk-based due diligence processes.

• Operational Oversight
• Develop, implement, and maintain CDD, EDD and Screening frameworks, including robust procedures, and controls to manage financial crime risk.
• Lead and develop the function, comprising:
  End to end customer lifecycle management; CDD, EDD, Advisory, Ongoing Screening.
• Partner with business units to integrate financial crime prevention into day-to-day operations without unnecessary disruption to commercial activity.

• People & Culture
• Lead and inspire a specialist team of financial crime professionals, in the UK and India.
• Drive talent development, succession planning, and knowledge sharing within the financial crime function.
• Promote a firm-wide culture of integrity, ethical behaviour, and proactive risk management.

• External & Client Advisory
• Provide thought leadership to clients on financial crime compliance in the real estate sector.
• Support clients with complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions, helping them manage financial crime risks.
• Deliver training, seminars, and client briefings on regulatory change and risk mitigation strategies.

• Significant senior leadership experience in financial crime compliance, ideally within real estate, property investment, or financial services.
• Proven track record within CDD, EDD and complex customer relationships.
• Understanding of the UK, EU and global regulatory framework and developments regarding financial crime compliance.
• Deep knowledge of UK AML/CTF/Sanctions legislation, FCA and HMRC requirements, and relevant international standards (e.g. FATF, OFAC, EU regimes), relating to AML/CTF/PF; sanctions; bribery and corruption; fraud; tax evasion and market abuse risks.
• Knowledge of FCA and EU regulatory frameworks, institutions, and internal operating structures for the market, partiality in relation to Real Estate.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to design proportionate, business-friendly controls.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at ExCo and Ex Co  
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• Experience creating, leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Relevant AML certifications (e.g., ACAMS, ICA) are highly desirable.
• Degree in AML or Financial Crime would be an advantage

Competitive salary. Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted for unsolicited CVs.