Cristiana Trigo
Welcome — I’m a risk and compliance leader specialising in financial crime, with over a decade of experience helping organisations build strong, ethical, and resilient governance frameworks. My career spans global institutions including J.P. Morgan, Barclays, Wells Fargo, and Bank of Montreal, and I now serve as Group Head of Financial Crime at Aptia Group, where I’m leading the development of a second line of defence across multiple regions, covering all key areas of financial crime, including fraud, sanctions, and bribery and corruption risk management. I hold an Executive MBA with Distinction, from Warwick Business School.
This website is a space to share insights, connect with likeminded professionals, and explore ideas at the intersection of compliance, innovation, and responsible technology. I’m particularly interested in connecting with start-ups in the financial sector for informal conversations. I’m also available for speaking opportunities and mentorship for graduates and early-career professionals, with a focus on inclusion and access.
Whether you’re seeking collaboration, guidance, or simply new perspectives on risk, regulation, and innovation — I hope you find this space both informative and inspiring.
“When I dare to be powerful — to use my strength in the service of my vision — then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid”
My Focus
I am passionate about the growth of start-ups in the financial sector, particularly those that are reimagining customer experiences, expanding financial inclusion, and challenging legacy risk models. I believe the most successful organisations are ambidextrous: able to innovate boldly while simultaneously building strong, sustainable controls. For me, innovation and governance are not opposing forces — they are mutually reinforcing capabilities. When risk management principles are embedded early, businesses can scale with confidence, accelerate responsibly, and avoid costly remediation later. Strong controls create trust; trust creates space for innovation.
As a woman from a minority background, I am deeply passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion. My personal and professional journey — from Angola to Portugal and now the UK — has shaped my belief in the power of representation, belonging, and equitable access to opportunity. I actively advocate for inclusive leadership and work environments where different perspectives are not only welcomed but seen as essential to effective governance and innovation.
My Areas of Expertise
Financial Crime Strategy & Risk Governance
I specialise in building and strengthening financial crime frameworks that protect organisations while enabling responsible innovation. With over twelve years’ experience in major financial institutions, I design effective controls, governance structures, and audit-ready processes that support resilience, ethical decision-making, and long-term growth. My approach sits at the intersection of regulation, technology, and organisational culture — ensuring risk management evolves in step with the pace of change.
Emerging Technologies & Responsible AI
I gained an Executive MBA from Warwick Business School in 2025. My main research project explored how generative AI is reshaping fraud and scams, and how responsibly deployed technology can strengthen prevention and detection capabilities. I am passionate about helping organisations adopt emerging tools in ways that are transparent, inclusive, and aligned to regulatory expectations.
Culture, Inclusion & Leadership
Beyond the technical side of financial crime, I care deeply about the cultures that sit around risk. I advocate for diverse leadership, equal access to opportunity, and work environments where people can grow confidently and authentically. I believe integrity is not only a control — it’s a mindset. I was born in Angola, raised in Portugal, and have lived in London for most of my adult life. I hold a degree in French and Spanish and also speak Italian. This international background gives me a global outlook and a deep appreciation for cultural diversity, adaptability, and connection across perspectives
Let’s Connect
Mentorship
I offer mentorship to graduates and early-career professionals from all backgrounds, with a particular interest in supporting individuals from minority and underrepresented groups. Whether you’re exploring career options, developing professional confidence, or navigating early workplace challenges, I’m happy to share guidance, perspective, and practical advice
Start - Ups
I’m happy to connect with founders and early-stage teams in the financial sector for informal conversations and networking. If you’re building something innovative and would value a discussion about risk culture, trust, or early-stage controls, feel free to reach out. I enjoy meeting people who are challenging the status quo and shaping the future of financial services.
Speaking Opportunities
I speak at events, panels, and roundtables on topics including financial crime, fraud, responsible AI, organisational culture, and inclusive leadership. My focus is on making complex topics engaging, accessible, and relevant for a range of audiences. If you’re organising an event and looking for a speaker with practical experience and a global perspective, I’d love to hear from you.
My Professional Background
I have over twelve years’ experience in compliance and risk management, specialising in financial crime prevention, regulatory governance, and operational resilience. My career has spanned global financial institutions including J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Barclays, Wells Fargo, and Bank of Montreal, where I developed a strong foundation in advisory work, policy design, and control implementation across diverse regulatory environments.
I am currently Group Head of Financial Crime at Aptia Group, a multinational organisation providing health and pension administration services across the United Kingdom, the United States, Portugal, and India. In this role, I am responsible for building a second line of defence function from the ground up and implementing a comprehensive financial crime risk management framework to ensure the Group’s operations remain compliant, effective, and adaptable as it continues to grow internationally.
My work focuses on establishing governance structures that are both strategically sound and operationally practical, enabling organisations to maintain strong compliance foundations while fostering innovation and efficiency.
My Academic Background
I hold an Executive MBA with Distinction from Warwick Business School, where my research explored the intersection of Generative AI, fraud prevention, and risk management within the UK financial services industry. My dissertation, “The Dual Impact of Generative AI on Fraud in Financial Services,” examined both the opportunities and threats presented by emerging AI technologies in financial crime detection.
The study investigated how Generative AI — particularly Large Language Models (LLMs) — can be misused by fraudsters to enhance and scale scams, while also highlighting the same technology’s potential to strengthen fraud prevention through advanced data analysis, pattern recognition, and anomaly detection.
Drawing on qualitative insights from 20 industry professionals across financial services, technology, and risk management, the research explored:
Current trends in AI adoption and regulatory readiness
Challenges surrounding data quality, ethical considerations, and workforce capability
The role of proactive governance and cross-sector collaboration in mitigating risk
The dissertation proposed a practical framework to help organisations adopt Generative AI responsibly, aligning innovation with robust risk management, regulatory compliance, and ethical principles.
Alongside my MBA, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in French and Spanish, with additional studies in European political history, which broadened my understanding of governance, culture, and international systems.
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style”