This award recognises an outstanding in-house compliance team within a financial services organisation that has demonstrated excellence in supporting its business through strong leadership, effective stakeholder engagement and a commitment to regulatory excellence and good governance.

The winning team will show how it has built trust and influence across the business while helping the organisation navigate an increasingly complex regulatory, compliance and risk landscape. Judges will look for evidence of a high-performing team that delivers measurable value, supports business objectives, fosters a strong culture of compliance and integrity and helps ensure adherence to regulatory obligations and expectations.

Eligibility 

• Open to in-house compliance teams operating within financial services organisations.
• Entries must reflect activity and impact within the last 12-18 months.
• Teams must be based in or have responsibility for operations within Europe.
• Entries should focus on the overall performance, effectiveness and impact of the team (refer to Initiatives categories if your entry relates to a specific project).
• Outsourced compliance functions, managed service providers and third-party teams are not eligible.
  

This award recognises an outstanding in-house compliance team operating within a non-financial services organisation, that has demonstrated excellence in supporting its organisation through strong leadership, effective stakeholder engagement and a commitment to good governance.

The winning team will show how it has built trust and influence across the business while helping the organisation navigate complex regulatory compliance, ethics and risk challenges. Judges will look for evidence of a high-performing team that delivers measurable value, supports business objectives and promotes a strong culture of compliance and integrity.

Eligibility 

• Open to in-house compliance teams operating within highly regulated non-financial services organisations, including sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, technology, telecommunications, transportation, gaming and gambling.
• Entries must reflect activity and impact within the last 12-18 months.
• Teams must be based in or have responsibility for operations within Europe.
• Entries should focus on the overall performance, effectiveness and impact of the team (refer to Initiatives categories if your entry relates to a specific project).
• Outsourced compliance functions, managed service providers and third-party teams are not eligible.
  

This award recognises an outstanding standalone compliance team (seven or fewer team members) within a financial services organisation that has demonstrated excellence in supporting its business through professional expertise, strong stakeholder engagement and a commitment to regulatory excellence and good governance.

The winning team will show how it has built trust and influence across the organisation while helping the business navigate an evolving regulatory environment and manage compliance risk effectively. Judges will look for evidence of a high-performing team that delivers measurable value, promotes a strong culture of compliance and achieves significant impact relative to its size and resources.

Eligibility

• The team must operate as a standalone compliance function, offering the full scope of compliance support, within a financial services organisation.
• Teams must comprise 7 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) team members at the time of entry.
• Sub-teams or specialist teams within a larger compliance function are not eligible for this category. Such teams should enter Compliance Team of the Year - Financial Services where appropriate.
• Entries must reflect activity, achievements and impact within the last 12–18 months.
• Teams must be based in or operating within Europe.
  

This award recognises an outstanding standalone compliance team seven or team members within a non-financial services organisation that has demonstrated excellence in supporting its business through professional expertise, strong stakeholder engagement and a commitment to good governance, despite limited resources.

The winning team will show how it has built trust and influence across the organisation while helping the business navigate complex regulatory, compliance and risk challenges. Judges will look for evidence of a collaborative, resilient and high-performing team that delivers measurable value, promotes a strong culture of compliance and achieves significant impact relative to its size.

Eligibility

• The team must operate as a standalone compliance function, offering the full scope of compliance support, in a non-financial services business (eg gambling, gaming, energy, manufacturing, technology, healthcare, retail).
• Teams must comprise 7 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) team members at the time of entry.
• Sub-teams or specialist teams within a larger compliance function are not eligible for this category. Such teams should enter Compliance Team of the Year Non-Financial Services where appropriate.
• Entries must reflect activity, achievements and impact within the last 12-18 months.
• Teams must be based in or have responsibility for operations within Europe.

This award recognises an outstanding in-house trade compliance team that has demonstrated excellence in supporting its organisation through professional expertise, strong stakeholder engagement and a commitment to good governance.

The winning team will show how it has built trust and influence across the business while helping the organisation navigate an increasingly complex global trade environment. Judges will look for evidence of a collaborative, resilient and high-performing team that manages trade compliance risk effectively, supports business objectives and promotes a strong culture of compliance and accountability.

Eligibility

• Open to in-house trade compliance teams operating within organisations conducting international trade activities.
• Entries must reflect activity, achievements and impact within the last 12-18 months.
• Teams must be based in or have responsibility for operations within Europe.
• Entries should focus on the team's overall performance, effectiveness and contribution to the organisation rather than a single project, initiative or implementation.
• Outsourced trade compliance functions, managed service providers and third-party teams are not eligible.
  

This award recognises an outstanding financial crime operations team that has demonstrated excellence in preventing, detecting and responding to financial crime while supporting customer outcomes, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

The winning team will demonstrate how it has delivered measurable impact through effective financial crime controls, strong stakeholder collaboration, operational excellence and continuous improvement. Judges will look for evidence of a high-performing team that has successfully balanced risk management, customer experience and business objectives.

Eligibility

• Open to in-house financial crime operations teams only.
• Eligible teams may include AML operations, KYC/CDD, onboarding, transaction monitoring, sanctions, investigations, fraud operations, screening or financial crime control teams.
• Entries must reflect activity, achievements and impact delivered within the last 12-18 months.
• The team must be based in or operating within Europe. Outsourced service providers, managed service providers and third-party teams are not eligible.
  

This award recognises an outstanding compliance leader who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, influence and impact over the past 12–18 months. The winner will have successfully led a compliance function, significant programme of work or strategic organisational initiative while helping their organisation navigate regulatory change, manage risk and strengthen its culture of compliance and integrity.

Judges will look for evidence of strategic leadership, stakeholder influence, operational excellence and measurable outcomes, alongside a commitment to developing people, shaping organisational culture and driving sustainable improvement.

Eligibility

• Open to compliance professionals with responsibility for leading a compliance function, team, project, workstream or key area of compliance.
• Entries for this award must be nominated by a Manager, Stakeholder or Colleague – Self-nominations will not be accepted. 
• Entries must reflect achievements within the last 12-18 months.
• Nominees must be based in or operating within Europe.
• Advisory firms, technology providers, outsourced service providers are not eligible.
  

This award recognises an exceptional MLRO or senior financial crime leader who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, influence and impact over the past 12-18 months. Judges will look for individuals who have successfully navigated financial crime risks, regulatory challenges and organisational change, while strengthening their organisation's approach to AML, sanctions, fraud prevention or wider financial crime compliance. 

The winning individual will be able to demonstrate not only technical expertise, but also how their leadership has driven positive outcomes for their organisation, colleagues, customers and stakeholders. 

Eligibility

• Open to MLROs, Deputy MLROs, Heads of Financial Crime, Heads of AML, Financial Crime Directors and equivalent senior professionals working in-house. 
• Entries for this award must be nominated by a Manager, Stakeholder or Colleague – Self-nominations will not be accepted.  
• Entries must reflect achievements within the last 12-18 months.
• Nominees must be based in or operating within Europe.
• Advisory firms, technology providers, outsourced service providers are not eligible.

This award recognises an outstanding manager who has demonstrated excellence in leading teams, delivering projects and translating strategy into measurable business outcomes across compliance, financial crime prevention, risk management or operational controls.

The winner will have played a critical role in translating strategy into execution, leading teams, projects or initiatives and helping their organisation navigate regulatory, operational or business challenges. Judges will look for evidence of effective people leadership, stakeholder influence, professional excellence and the ability to deliver sustainable outcomes through others.

Eligibility

• This category is intended for managers and senior managers with responsibility for leading people, programmes, projects or operational delivery activities within first-line or second-line functions.
• Entries must reflect achievements from the last 12-18 months. 
• Entries for this award must be submitted by a manager, colleague or stakeholder. Self-nominations will not be accepted. 
• Nominees must be based in or operating within Europe.
  

This award recognises an emerging compliance, risk or financial crime professional who has made an outstanding contribution within their first five years in the profession. Whether entering the profession directly or transitioning from another field, the winner will have demonstrated exceptional potential, professional growth and a commitment to excellence.

Judges will look for evidence of meaningful impact on their team, organisation or the wider profession, together with strong stakeholder engagement, increasing influence and clear potential for future leadership.

Eligibility

• Open to individuals within their first five years working in compliance, risk or financial crime prevention roles.
• Entries for this award must be nominated by a Manager, Stakeholder or Colleague – Self-nominations will not be accepted.  
• Entries must focus primarily on achievements, contribution and impact demonstrated within the last 12-18 months.
• Nominees must be based in or operating within Europe.
  

This award recognises an in-house team that has successfully leveraged technology to enhance compliance effectiveness, strengthen risk management and deliver meaningful business outcomes.

The winning entry will demonstrate how technology has been used to solve a compliance challenge, improve efficiency, strengthen governance, support regulatory compliance or enable a more proactive approach to managing risk. Judges will look for evidence of innovation, strong execution, collaboration and measurable impact. The focus of this category is the organisation's use and implementation of technology rather than the technology provider or product itself.

Eligibility

• Open to in-house teams that have successfully implemented or deployed technology to strengthen compliance, governance, risk management or financial crime controls.
• This category is not open to advisory firms or outsourced service providers (please see Technology Partner of the Year or Advisory Firm of the Year).
• Entries must demonstrate activity and impact within the last 12-18 months.
• The organisation or project team must be based in or operating within Europe.
  

This award recognises an AI solution that helps organisations prevent, detect or investigate financial crime. The winning entry will demonstrate how artificial intelligence has strengthened areas such as AML, fraud prevention, sanctions compliance, transaction monitoring, customer due diligence or financial crime investigations. Open to technology providers, advisory firms, regulated businesses and in-house teams, entries must demonstrate innovation, effective implementation and measurable impact.

Judges will look for cutting-edge solutions that address real-world financial crime challenges, deliver demonstrable outcomes and show potential for wider application.

Eligibility

• Open to any organisation, including technology providers, advisory firms, regulated businesses and in-house teams, developing or implementing an AI solution for financial crime prevention.
• Entries must demonstrate activity and impact within the last 12-18 months.
• The solution must have been deployed, tested or used within an organisation operating in Europe.
  

This award recognises an innovative AI-enabled solution that addresses compliance, governance, risk or regulatory challenges. Open to technology providers, advisory firms, regulated businesses and in-house teams, entrants should demonstrate how AI has improved compliance effectiveness, enhanced decision-making, supported regulatory obligations or increased operational efficiency.

Judges will look for measurable benefits, innovation, practicality and the responsible use of AI. Examples include regulatory change management, horizon scanning, policy and controls management, monitoring, reporting, governance oversight and workflow automation.

Eligibility

• Open to any organisation, including technology providers, advisory firms, regulated businesses and in-house teams, developing or implementing an AI solution for compliance, governance, risk management or regulatory operations.
• Entries must demonstrate activity and impact within the last 12-18 months.
• The solution must have been deployed, tested or used within an organisation operating in Europe.
  

This award recognises a standout project that has significantly strengthened an organisation’s ability to prevent, detect or manage financial crime. The winning entry will demonstrate how a clearly defined initiative delivered measurable improvements in financial crime risk management while supporting business objectives and regulatory compliance.

Judges will look for evidence of effective delivery, innovation, stakeholder engagement and tangible outcomes. Eligible initiatives may include AML, sanctions, fraud, customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, investigations, remediation or broader financial crime transformation programmes. While technology may form part of the initiative, the focus is on the overall impact, transformation achieved and value delivered.

Eligibility

• Open to in-house financial crime, AML, sanctions, fraud, investigations or cross-functional teams that have delivered a defined project, programme or transformation initiative.
• Entries should primarily reflect achievements and outcomes delivered within the past 12-18 months.
• The organisation or project team must be based in or operating within Europe.
• Advisory firms, technology providers, outsourced service providers are not eligible.
  

This award recognises an innovative compliance training initiative that has enhanced knowledge, skills, behaviours or organisational capability. Entries may focus on compliance, ethics, governance, risk or financial crime prevention training delivered to employees, business partners or other relevant audiences.

Judges will look for creative approaches that challenge traditional learning methods, engage target audiences and deliver measurable impact. This may include new formats, delivery models, technology-enabled learning, industry collaboration or initiatives that support the development of compliance professionals and future talent.

Eligibility 

• This award is open to in-house compliance and financial crime prevention teams only. 
• Entries must demonstrate initiatives implemented or active within the last 12-18 months.
• The organisation or project team must be based in or operating within Europe.
• This award is not open to consultancies or commercial training providers.
  

This award recognises an outstanding initiative that has strengthened ethics, integrity and compliance culture across an organisation. The winning entry will demonstrate how a clearly defined project or programme fostered employee engagement, accountability and trust while embedding ethical behaviours and compliance into everyday business practices. Judges will look for evidence of stakeholder engagement, innovation and measurable outcomes.

Eligible initiatives may include speak-up and whistleblowing programmes, ethics campaigns, compliance communications, culture transformation initiatives, engagement programmes, behavioural change initiatives, or other efforts designed to strengthen organisational culture, awareness and ethical behaviour.

Eligibility

• Open to in-house teams, departments, advisory firms, training providers, technology providers and other organisations that have delivered a defined initiative focused on enhancing ethics, integrity or compliance culture.
• Entries submitted by external providers must be based on a specific client engagement and demonstrate how the initiative was delivered in partnership with an organisation.
• Entries must relate to a specific project, programme or initiative that has delivered measurable outcomes.
• Entries must reflect activity and impact delivered within the last 12-18 months.
• The organisation or project team must be based in or operating within Europe.
  

This award recognises an outstanding project, programme or initiative that has strengthened operational risk management, governance or controls within an organisation.

The winning entry will demonstrate how a clearly defined initiative improved organisational effectiveness, enhanced risk management or strengthened control frameworks. Judges will look for evidence of effective delivery, innovation, stakeholder engagement and measurable outcomes.

Eligible initiatives may include control enhancement programmes, governance improvements, operational resilience initiatives, onboarding and due diligence improvements, risk framework implementation, controls automation or initiatives that strengthen first-line accountability.

Eligibility

• Open to in-house teams or departments that have delivered an operational risk, governance or controls initiative.
• Entries must reflect activity and impact delivered within the last 12–18 months.
• The organisation or project team must be based in or operating within Europe.
• Joint entries demonstrating collaboration across business functions are encouraged.
• Advisory firms, technology providers, outsourced service providers are not eligible.

This award recognises an outstanding project, programme or initiative that has improved outcomes for customers, clients or end users through effective compliance, governance, risk management or financial crime prevention.

The winning entry will demonstrate how compliance has enabled better customer experiences, increased trust, reduced friction or improved business outcomes while maintaining appropriate controls and regulatory standards. Judges will look for evidence of innovation, collaboration, effective delivery and measurable impact.

Eligibility

• Open to in-house teams or departments that have delivered a customer-focused compliance, governance, risk or financial crime initiative.
• Joint entries demonstrating collaboration across business functions are encouraged.
• Entries must reflect activity and impact delivered within the last 12-18 months.
• The organisation or project team must be based in or operating within Europe.
• Advisory firms, technology providers, outsourced service providers are not eligible.
  

This award recognises an outstanding team, programme or initiative that has successfully responded to significant regulatory change and delivered meaningful business outcomes.

The winning entry will demonstrate how an organisation translated new regulatory requirements into practical, sustainable change while strengthening compliance, governance, risk management or business operations. Judges will look for evidence of effective delivery, stakeholder engagement, innovation and measurable impact.

Eligibility

• Open to in-house teams, departments or programme groups that have delivered a significant regulatory change initiative.
• Entries must focus on a significant regulatory change, reform or development implemented within the last 12-18 months.
• Routine business-as-usual regulatory updates do not qualify for this category.
• The organisation or project team must be based in or operating within Europe.
• Advisory firms, technology providers, outsourced service providers are not eligible.
  

This award recognises an outstanding strategic initiative or transformation programme that has significantly enhanced organisational capability and delivered lasting business value.

The winning entry will demonstrate how a major strategic challenge or opportunity was addressed through large-scale organisational change. Judges will look for evidence of strategic vision, effective delivery, stakeholder engagement, innovation and measurable impact. Eligible initiatives may include operating model transformation, organisational redesign, capability development, technology-enabled change, controls modernisation or process improvement.

Eligibility

• Open to in-house teams, departments or programme groups that have delivered a major strategic initiative or transformation programme.
• Entries must reflect activity and impact delivered within the last 12–18 months.
• Joint entries demonstrating collaboration across multiple business functions are encouraged.
• The organisation or project team must be based in or operating within Europe.
• Advisory firms, technology providers, outsourced service providers are not eligible.
  

This award recognises an advisory firm that has delivered exceptional compliance, financial crime, regulatory, governance or risk advisory support to help clients navigate complex business and compliance challenges.

Judges will look for evidence of technical excellence, trusted client relationships, innovative thinking and measurable outcomes, alongside a commitment to advancing standards across the compliance profession.

Eligibility

• Open to advisory firms, including consultancy firms, law firms and specialist advisory practices, providing compliance, financial crime, governance, regulatory or risk advisory services to regulated businesses.
• Submissions should focus on a specific client engagement, partnership, implementation or programme of work that demonstrates the value delivered by the technology provider.
• Entries must reflect work delivered within the last 12-18 months.
• Services or solutions must be delivered to organisations operating within Europe.
  

This award recognises a managed service provider that has delivered outstanding outsourced compliance, risk or financial crime support to its clients. 

Whether supporting compliance monitoring, regulatory reporting, regulatory change management, controls testing, governance activities, AML operations, onboarding, KYC, transaction monitoring, MLRO support or broader compliance activities, successful entrants will demonstrate how their services have helped clients manage risk, strengthen compliance and achieve better business outcomes. Judges will be looking for evidence of service excellence, innovation, client partnership and measurable impact. 

This category is intended for organisations delivering ongoing outsourced or managed services rather than primarily advisory, consulting or legal advisory engagements.

Eligibility

• Open to organisations providing outsourced compliance, risk or financial crime services. 
• Entries should be based on a specific client engagement, managed service relationship or defined programme of work that demonstrates the value delivered to the client.
• Entries must reflect work delivered within the last 12-18 months.
• Services must be delivered to organisations operating within Europe.
  

This award recognises a technology partner that delivers exceptional value to clients through innovative financial crime solutions, collaborative relationships and measurable business impact. Entrants should demonstrate not only the strength of their technology, but also how they work with clients to implement, optimise and evolve solutions that help organisations prevent, detect and respond to financial crime.

Judges will look for technology partners that combine innovative solutions, exceptional client service and collaborative approaches to deliver measurable outcomes, solve client challenges and strengthen financial crime prevention.

Eligibility

• Open to technology firms providing financial crime prevention solutions.
• Submissions should focus on a specific client engagement, partnership, implementation or programme of work that demonstrates the value delivered by the technology provider.
• Entries must reflect achievements within the last 12-18 months.
• Services or solutions must be delivered to organisations operating within Europe.
  

This award recognises a technology partner that delivers exceptional value to clients through innovative governance, risk and compliance solutions, collaborative partnerships and measurable business impact.

Judges will look for evidence of technology innovation, client service excellence and a partnership approach that helps organisations strengthen governance, manage risk and improve compliance outcomes.

Eligibility

• Open to technology firms providing governance, risk and compliance (GRC) solutions.
• Submissions should focus on a specific client engagement, partnership, implementation or programme of work that demonstrates the value delivered by the technology provider.
• Entries must reflect achievements within the last 12-18 months.
• Services or solutions must be delivered to organisations operating within Europe.