The Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Ariff Ali, has declared the appointment of Caroline Pickering as the new Director of the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), effective January 1, 2025. The Director is appointed upon the recommendation of the National Anti-Money Laundering Council.
Caroline Pickering, who currently serves as the Manager of Policy and Compliance at the Fiji FIU, takes over from Razim Buksh, who retired from the position in 2023. Ali expressed confidence in Pickering’s ability to lead the unit, citing her over 25 years of professional experience and strategic leadership qualities as essential assets for navigating Fiji’s evolving digital financial landscape. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with a diverse array of partners in both the government and private sectors.
Since joining the Fiji FIU in 2006, Pickering has played a pivotal role in developing the country’s regulatory and supervisory framework to fight against money laundering and financial crime. Her background includes extensive experience working with various financial institutions and government agencies to establish safeguards that help prevent and detect financial misdemeanors. Notably, she has also stepped into the acting Director role on multiple occasions.
Before her tenure at the FIU, Pickering spent over nine years at the Office of the Auditor-General, where she held various audit and leadership positions. She holds degrees in accounting and economics from the University of the South Pacific and is a member of the Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants.
The Governor congratulated Pickering on her appointment, expressing optimism for her contributions to uphold the integrity and safety of Fiji’s financial system.
This appointment is a significant step forward for Fiji’s efforts to combat financial crime, showcasing a commitment to enhancing regulatory frameworks in the face of modern challenges. With Pickering’s extensive experience and proven track record, there is hope for a more secure financial future for the nation, fostering integrity and trust in its financial systems.
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