SmartSearch fuels next phase of growth with Client Services Director appointment

As the UK’s leading provider of digital compliance solutions, SmartSearch has today announced the internal appointment of Julie Green as Client Services Director.

In nearly six years, Julie has risen through the ranks at SmartSearch, starting as Client Services Manager, before progressing to other internal roles to build a broad experience of operations, innovation, and people. Her most recent role was as Vice President of Business Operations.

Her appointment comes at a pivotal time as SmartSearch is witnessing a period of substantial growth, driven by its expansion across all regulated markets such as financial services, accountancy, banking, legal, crypto, and property. With the firm’s client base expanding by more than eighty percent over the previous five years, the Client Services Director and team will play a leading role in sustaining exceptional customer service and solutions to over 6,500 clients.

Her leadership will be instrumental in taking SmartSearch to new heights, driving the continued rollout of its next-generation platform and launch of innovative products such as the recent Source of Funds and Risk Assessment tools.

Julie's role will continue to involve close collaboration with the Go To Market team, and will focus on arming customers with innovative products to combat financial crime. Her seat on the board will be instrumental in shaping the company's customer-centric strategies, ensuring that SmartSearch remains at the forefront of digital compliance solutions for all regulated firms in the UK and globally.

Speaking on her appointment, Julie Green said: "I am incredibly proud to be joining the board at SmartSearch, taking on this important role at such an exciting time for the business. Our rapid growth is proof of our commitment to delivering innovative digital compliance solutions, paired with outstanding customer service and support.

“Client Services has played a pivotal role in shaping our product range and wider business. As we continue to ensure clients are represented on the board, I look forward to working with the team, the board and the wider business to meet and exceed our clients' needs."

Julie's promotion to the board of directors aligns with the company's strategic focus on growth and internal development. In fact, she initially joined SmartSearch in 2018 to support current COO, Collette Allen in building the client services team that she now leads.

Collette Allen, COO of SmartSearch, adds: "I congratulate and welcome Julie to the board. With her wealth of experience across the business, she will be a strong advocate for our customers as we deliver solutions to fight against money laundering and financial crime.

"It is an exciting time to be part of SmartSearch, furthered by our recent recognition as a top 100 'Great Place to Work’ in financial services. Her internal appointment is testament to the culture we've built here, one that values innovation, service, and the growth and development of our team members."

Her appointment adds further female representation to SmartSearch’s executive team, which now comprises four men and three women. Julie joins Collette Allen, who has been with the company for over 10 years, rising through four positions to COO. Claire Elcock joined as Finance Director in May 2021, before becoming CFO in November 2022.

The diversity of the board not only underscores SmartSearch's commitment to equality and inclusion but also strategically positions the company for success. A diverse board enhances decision-making and drives growth, aligning seamlessly with SmartSearch's proactive approach to attract talent, irrespective of age, race, position, or gender.

SmartSearch’s digital compliance solution supports more than 6,500 clients and 60,000 users across the world, helping them deploy millions of complex identity checks in seconds through a single platform. The highly configurable and recently enhanced platform is already trusted by one in three of the UK’s top 200 law firms, one in two of the top 100 accountancy firms, and more than 1,000 property companies.

For more information regarding SmartSearch's award-winning digital compliance solution, contact one of our AML and digital compliance experts today.