Caroline Pickering has made history by becoming the first woman to lead the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), appointed as the new director effective January 1, 2025. Pickering succeeds Razim Buksh, who served in the role for 17 years before retiring in 2023. Her appointment is seen as a significant step forward for gender representation in leadership roles within Fiji’s financial regulatory landscape.

Reserve Bank Governor Ariff Ali expressed his strong confidence in Ms. Pickering’s capabilities, emphasizing her extensive background of over 25 years in financial oversight and her strategic leadership experience. He noted, “I am confident that Ms. Caroline Pickering is the best person to successfully lead the Fiji FIU into its next growth stage,” highlighting her adeptness at navigating the increasingly digital realm of financial transactions.

Picking up from her previous role as manager of policy and compliance, which she held since joining the FIU in 2006, Pickering has been instrumental in shaping Fiji’s regulatory framework to combat money laundering and other financial crimes. Her experience involves working closely with various financial institutions and governmental bodies to implement effective safeguards against financial malpractice, an effort critical for protecting the integrity of Fiji’s economy.

As the FIU’s main agency tasked with monitoring financial transactions across 172 financial institutions in diverse sectors, Ms. Pickering will oversee a database that recorded over 30 million transactions as of the latest annual report. This substantial data oversight reflects the vital role of the FIU as a watchdog in maintaining financial integrity.

With her commendable track record, the transition in leadership is anticipated to foster innovative strategies that enhance the unit’s actions against evolving financial threats. Governor Ali’s confidence marks a hopeful outlook as Pickering steps into this pivotal role, suggesting that her leadership may reinvigorate Fiji’s defenses against financial crime, ultimately supporting a more secure economic environment for the nation.

In summary, Caroline Pickering’s elevation signifies a promising new chapter for the Fiji FIU, marked by her commitment to strengthening the country’s financial regulatory framework. Her leadership is poised to advance important initiatives aimed at bolstering Fiji’s resilience against financial misconduct in an increasingly complex digital landscape.