Anti-money laundering (AML) firm SmartSearch has appointed Collette Allen as chief operating officer.
Allen joined the company in 2013 as a senior support specialist and, within two years, earned a position as head of client services. Just five years later, she was appointed to the SmartSearch board as client services director.
At 30, Allen was the company’s youngest-ever board member and the first female in the boardroom. Under her direction, the client services division grew significantly and now manages 5,500 global clients across the legal, insurance, accountancy, investment, property and finance sectors.
Her promotion to chief operating officer comes as a result of her work developing SmartSearch’s already outstanding level of client retention – which sits at 98% on year – as well as her key role in developing the company’s business strategy and helping it to achieve its goals and growth.
Martin Cheek, managing director of SmartSearch, said: “Collette has shown incredible leadership and innovation in her time at SmartSearch. She’s been crucial in the development of our outstanding Client Services team which has managed to achieve exceptional client retention.
“I have no doubt that she will go from strength-to-strength and continue to drive innovations that will keep SmartSearch as the leading anti-money laundering firm.”
In her new role, Allen will oversee SmartSearch’s operations and procedures, and will be responsible for driving sustainable business growth, while guaranteeing a high-quality customer experience. She will also manage a diverse range of business operations, ensuring SmartSearch maintains its position as a market leader in digital compliance.
Allen said: “Having been with SmartSearch for nearly a decade, it is a real honour to now be COO. The business is fast growing and it is an incredibly exciting time to be at SmartSearch.
“SmartSearch is the only AML resource any regulated business needs, and we’ll continue to innovate and work with our clients to deliver the best possible product and service.”
