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Mark Highton
Global Leader Financial Crime Compliance Consulting at Protiviti
Professional Background
Mark Highton is a distinguished financial crime consultant and a recognized thought leader in the field of Risk and Compliance Solutions. Currently serving as the Managing Director and Global Leader for Protiviti's Financial Crime Consulting practice, he has been pivotal in shaping strategies that optimize financial crime compliance. With an impressive career spanning over 30 years, Mark has honed his expertise across various domains including, but not limited to, Financial Crime, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Banking, Finance, and Human Resources operations, as well as Internal Audit. His profound understanding of these sectors allows him to foresee and mitigate risks while aligning his clients’ strategies with global compliance standards.
Mark's role at Protiviti involves not only the development and implementation of innovative solutions to tackle complex client challenges but also the expansion of Protiviti's consulting capabilities in the financial crime domain. He focuses on transforming client operations, facilitating significant improvements in compliance effectiveness, and enhancing cost-efficiency. His visionary approach encourages clients to achieve what he describes as “step change” advancements in their operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Education and Achievements
Mark's educational background begins with his foundational studies at Durban High School in South Africa, which laid the groundwork for his academic and professional success. He further pursued a degree in Bachelor of Arts with Honours at the University of Liverpool, where he likely developed critical skills in analytical thinking and problem-solving that would serve him throughout his illustrious career.
Previous Positions
Before joining Protiviti, Mark held several senior positions that significantly contributed to his extensive knowledge and expertise. As a Senior Managing Director at PwC, he played a crucial role as a leader within the Financial Crime Unit, where he drove initiatives that shaped regulatory compliance in financial services. His tenure at PwC is marked by a commitment to innovation and excellence in service delivery, making a substantial impact on clients and team members alike.
Prior to his time at PwC, Mark had a remarkable career at Citigroup. His roles at Citigroup spanned various functions, including serving as Executive Vice President (EVP) in different capacities such as Global Process Head - Finance, Chief Operating Officer of Eastern Consortium LLC, CBS - Service Delivery Director, EMEA HRSS Operations and Systems Director, and more. Throughout his years at Citigroup, he was instrumental in overseeing finance reengineering and enhancing service delivery across multiple regions.
Mark's career began in Corporate Audit at Citigroup in London, where he showcased his analytical capabilities and contributed to the competitive advantage of the organization by leading the EMEA Transaction Services Corporate audit program. His journey from auditing to leadership roles exemplifies his adaptability and dedication to excellence.
Professional Affiliations
As a respected professional in financial crime compliance consulting, Mark has maintained active involvement in various organizations, ensuring that he stays at the forefront of industry trends and developments. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration and innovation, fostering an environment where teams can thrive in addressing complex financial crime challenges.
Conclusion
Mark Highton's extensive career in financial crime consulting, supported by rich experiences in finance and operations, enables him to provide unparalleled value to organizations navigating compliance challenges in a global landscape. His commitment to transformative strategies and operational efficiency positions him as a leading figure in the financial consulting sector, and he continues to influence change positively within the industry.
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