Steven Blackburn

Partner Ashurst

An internationally recognised expert in financial crime prevention, risk management and compliance, Steve is the Global Chair of Ashurst Risk Advisory's Financial Crime practice. He has deep knowledge of and experience with financial crime risk, risk management and compliance in heavily regulated environments across a number of jurisdictions and industry sectors, including financial services, gaming/wagering, wealth management and superannuation. His experience bridges the gap amongst risk, operations and technology, enabling him to provide practical, innovative advice to manage regulatory risk which is effective and strategically sustainable. Prior to joining Ashurst, Steve was the Chief Financial Crime Officer (and Money Laundering Reporting Officer) at two multinational banks. Leading the transformation of the banks' anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, sanctions and anti-bribery and corruption programs, Steve's efforts have led to favourable regulatory outcomes in multiple jurisdictions in Australia, Asia, Europe and North America. As the Chief Risk Officer of Australia's largest gaming and hospitality group, Steve was the architect of and transformed all aspects of the entity's risk management, compliance, financial crime and responsible gaming programs. Joining the entity at a time when it was facing existential challenges, Steve successfully led the company through two Royal Commissions and a financial crime regulatory enforcement action. Passionate about the fight against bribery, corruption and financial crime, Steve has represented organisations and the financial services, hospitality and gaming industries before senior government committees, regulators and inquiries in several jurisdictions and he has worked closely with law enforcement agencies around the world to combat financial crime.