The Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF), Ariff Ali, has appointed Caroline Pickering as the new Director of the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), effective January 1, 2025. This appointment comes on the recommendation of the National Anti-Money Laundering Council, a body that plays a crucial role in the oversight of financial compliance.
Currently serving as the Manager of Policy and Compliance at the FIU, Pickering succeeds Razim Buksh, who retired from the position in 2023. Governor Ali expressed his confidence in Pickering’s ability to lead the FIU into its next growth phase, highlighting her extensive professional background of over 25 years and her strategic leadership skills.
Since joining the FIU in 2006, Pickering has been pivotal in establishing Fiji’s regulatory framework to address money laundering and financial crime. Her experience extends to collaborating with a variety of financial institutions and government agencies to implement safeguards designed to prevent and detect financial crimes within the sector. She has also frequently stepped into the acting Director role during her tenure.
Before her work with the FIU, Pickering spent over nine years in the Office of the Auditor-General, where she engaged in various audit and leadership responsibilities. She holds a degree 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, emphasizing the importance of her role in enhancing the safety and integrity of Fiji’s financial system in the fight against money laundering.
This appointment reflects a commitment to strengthening Fiji’s financial regulatory framework at a critical time when digital finance is on the rise. Caroline Pickering’s wealth of experience and proven track record make her a promising leader for the FIU as it navigates the complexities of modern financial challenges.
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