Irene Popoff Possolo

Board-level Governance Leader bringing 20+ years' regulatory expertise grounded in operational credibility. I've established and led international operations, managed complex teams through 24/7 continuity, and overseen major transformations. I help boards navigate regulatory complexity while maintaining commercial momentum.

I bring high emotional intelligence and genuine board partnership: independent challenge combined with constructive support. I improve how boards work together. As a qualified coach, I bring this people-centred lens to governance, board effectiveness, and succession planning.

Interim Chief Operating Officer at ERGO Insurance Administration Services Ltd (2024-01 – 2025-01)

• Led FCA change-in-control process, securing regulatory approval and supporting Board transition to new ownership model.
• Established claims and assistance operations from ground up across UK and South Africa. Managed geographic expansion, building teams, implementing systems, and ensuring operational consistency while scaling: demonstrating ability to build complex operations under pressure.
• Oversaw multi-functional leadership team and delivered operating model redesign aligned to Board strategy and risk appetite.

Chief Risk Officer (SMF3) at ERGO Travel Insurance Services Ltd (2023-01 – 2026-01)

Chief Compliance & Risk Officer (SMF16/17) at ERGO Travel Insurance Services Ltd (2019-01 – 2024-01)

Board Director with accountability for Risk, Compliance, Conduct and Financial Crime governance.

• Advised Board and Executive Committees on regulatory exposure and emerging FCA priorities. Led Consumer Duty and Fair Value framework implementation, delivering clear customer outcome evidence and strengthening Board confidence in customer-centric decision-making.
• Primary FCA regulatory liaison. Enhanced governance reporting to improve Board visibility of risk and performance. Oversaw AML, sanctions, data protection and financial crime frameworks. Provided independent challenge to strategic initiatives. Strengthened oversight of outsourced arrangements.

Compliance & Risk Manager (SMF16) at ERV Reiseversicherung AG (2018-01 – 2019-01)

Supported Board through Brexit restructuring from BaFin to FCA-regulated model. Designed Compliance Plans aligned to Board risk appetite. Oversaw regulatory implementation. Strengthened third-party assurance through risk-based frameworks.

Compliance & Regulatory Risk Lead at Simplyhealth Access (2016-01 – 2018-01)

• Led SM&CR implementation steering group, shaping governance structures and board accountability frameworks. Steering group decisions shaped how organisation embedded SM&CR at board and senior management level.
• Led IDD and GDPR implementation. Embedded compliance monitoring and risk identification frameworks. Drove cultural shift towards proactive risk management.

Compliance & Risk Manager at Home Assistance UK Ltd (2014-01 – 2016-01)

Designed and implemented an enterprise-wide Risk Management Framework. Chaired Conduct and Compliance Committees. Acted as DPO, MLRO and Whistleblowing Champion. Embedded quality assurance and competence frameworks supporting conduct culture.

Team Manager at Financial Ombudsman Service (2009-01 – 2014-01)

Led teams navigating complex financial disputes where fairness and stakeholder trust were central to outcomes. Improved team performance through coaching-led development and mentoring, demonstrating how strong leadership embeds fairness in practice. Provided insight on complaint trends to inform industry practice.

Adjudicator at Financial Ombudsman Service (2003-01 – 2009-01)

CPE Diploma in Law – Inns of Court School of Law

BSc (Hons) in Psychology & Social Biology – University of Surrey