‘By Example, We Shall Lead’: Chapter Leader Sets Example In and Out of the Office

U.K. native Iain Gallie, CFE, Head of Risk Strategy and Frameworks for ASB Bank in New Zealand, entered the anti-fraud field after serving in the British Army Reserves with the British Royal Military Police.

November 2015

ACFE Member Profile
Iain Gallie, CFE
Head of Risk Strategy and Frameworks, ASB Bank
New Zealand

U.K. native Iain Gallie, CFE, Head of Risk Strategy and Frameworks for ASB Bank in New Zealand, entered the anti-fraud field after serving in the British Army Reserves with the British Royal Military Police. When he is not walking the Inca Trail or hiking in this Himalayas with his family, he is serving as president of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand chapter. “My motto is that of the British Royal Military Police, ‘Exemplo Ducemus,’ which translated from Latin means, ‘By example we shall lead,’” Gallie said. “It has always resonated with me that whether leading a group of soldiers, teaching martial arts, managing a team of anti-fraud professionals, being a husband and a father to three children or serving as an ACFE chapter leader, you always need to set a good example for others to follow.”

Why did you decide to enter the anti-fraud field?

After time spent in the British Royal Military Police I wanted to continue in the security and investigative fields, and started a career committed to preventing and detecting fraud. I held various security roles including time with the Harrods’ security team and a role with the Post Office Investigation Department. When returning to New Zealand, I worked at ASB managing a fraud team, implementing fraud detection systems and, more recently, mitigating fraud risk.

What is your current role and what does it entail?

My current role involves operational risk and compliance governance to ensure that our regulatory and legislative obligations are met and that the supporting frameworks and policies are embedded and understood within the business. This includes managing operational risk and compliance incidents, delivering risk and compliance related training, and managing a team of risk partners who assist business units in mitigating their risks while delivering on their strategic objectives.

What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?

One of my early achievements was gaining my black belt in martial arts and becoming an instructor at the age of 19. That self-discipline and commitment has helped me in my career.
Workwise, one great achievement was assisting in the design and implementation of an enterprise fraud detection and integrated case management solution which generated significant savings. It ultimately assisted ASB to win the Visa Leader Award for the lowest fraud losses in the Australasia region in 2014.
On a personal note, I see my family as a great achievement — a lovely wife and three delightful children that are an extremely special and important part of my life.

 

What are your favorite activities and hobbies outside of work?

I enjoy getting outdoors and enjoying nature. Some trips over the last few years have included trekking to Annapurna Base Camp in the Himalayas, walking the Inca Trail, cycling the Otago Rail Trail and canoeing the Whanganui River.

 

What are the benefits of serving as a chapter leader?

Serving as a chapter leader is extremely rewarding not only from a personal development point of view, but also because you can be actively involved in increasing member numbers, providing relevant and interesting training and networking opportunities and promoting CFE awareness.
The New Zealand chapter has branches in Auckland, Wellington and, more recently, Christchurch. It has been great to see our membership grow, with people from many interesting professions and backgrounds all united in the common anti-fraud field. All of these branches are supported by a great team of committee members who give up their time to make the events a success and ensure the smooth running of the chapter here.

 

What goals would you like to help the chapter accomplish?

Our aim is to continue to increase our membership, work with other similar special interest groups such as AML/CTF professionals, and form effective partnerships for combined conferences or fraud-related events.
We would like to be able to increase the amount of CPD training we can offer and encourage more of our members to gain the globally recognized CFE credential.