With experience at JP Morgan, UBS, KPMG and Accenture, and boutique consultancies, Saghir has helped top-tier banks design and execute major Transformation programmes. Now, as a Partner at Jaywing Risk Consulting, Saghir is bringing that expertise to support clients facing growing regulatory and risk challenges. We sat down with him to talk about the biggest changes in risk management, the evolving regulatory requirements, and what’s next for financial institutions.
You’ve spent decades leading risk and regulatory programmes across banking and consulting. What drew you to Jaywing?
The people at Jaywing stand out immediately. Working with talented professionals who understand risk management deeply creates an environment where innovation thrives. Of course, people are just the beginning. What truly sets Jaywing apart is our collaborative approach to problem-solving. Secondly, the opportunity to grow the business was an exciting challenge.
Many institutions struggle with implementing large-scale risk transformation programmes. What’s the key to getting it right?
There are a number of factors, but in my mind, strong management sponsorship is absolutely critical for risk transformation success. When senior leaders actively champion the programme, it creates momentum throughout the organisation.
However, execution quality ultimately determines success. The right team needs diverse content-led skills in risk management, technology, data governance, and organisational change.
What do you see as the biggest opportunities for banks?
As we move through 2025, I don’t think you can look beyond the adoption of AI, especially in risk and financial crime modelling. However, to do this effectively and gain a competitive advantage, firms need to ensure their underlying data and systems infrastructure is robust.
Secondly, banks are recognising that people are just as important as technology. As the future of work evolves, human capital is becoming a central focus of strategy.
What’s next for risk management in financial services, and what should leaders be focusing on in the next 12-18 months?
There are a number of emerging themes and challenges that risk leaders need to address, such as:
- Geopolitical risk: The existing world order appears to be shifting, leading to increased fragmentation and uncertainty.
- AI and ethical considerations: The rise of AI brings new technological and ethical challenges that firms must navigate.
- Cloud, big data, and new technologies: Adoption is transforming the way financial institutions operate.
- New and evolving risks: Geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, and the growing significance of non-financial risk.
In all of this, the customer must remain at the core—just as it always should be.
Final thoughts
The next 12-18 months will bring both opportunities and challenges for financial institutions. AI, data infrastructure, and new risk types will dominate discussions at the board level. However, strong leadership, investment in people, and a clear strategy will be critical for firms looking to gain an advantage. As always, balancing innovation with regulatory expectations will be key.
Want to connect with Saghir? Reach out to him on LinkedIn or find out more about how Jaywing can support your risk strategy here.
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