What this area covers: MLRO services in the UK
MLRO services is one of 6 parts of our “Compliance & AML” practice. It covers the full cycle from initial scoping to operational launch, run by a single named partner from our UK practice.
What it is in the UK: external / outsourced MLRO.
How we handle MLRO services
The “MLRO services” project in the UK is structured as a 4-stage process run by a single named partner.
Regulatory program drafting, MLRO services, and examination preparation across FINTRAC, FCA, MAS, FIU, and CBUAE frameworks.
The same desk that runs MLRO services handles your banking, bookkeeping, compliance and — where needed — your wind-down.INNOVA · Operating model
Why the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is a holding jurisdiction built on common law: the public Companies House register, a broad network of tax treaties, and a deep banking sector. We reach for it when a structure needs international recognition and access to British capital. We factor in the new identity-verification regime too.
A reliable regulatory environment
Banking ecosystem
Corporate tax 25% (>£250k) / 19% (≤£50k), with marginal relief
INNOVA represented on the ground
Why INNOVA
Operational differences that hold up on the 2nd, 5th and 10th project — not just at first impression.
One partner — the whole cycle
Registration, banking, tax, compliance, immigration — run by one team from start to finish.
14 years of practice
Working since 2012 through several regulatory cycles — including FATCA/CRS, the tightening of banking, and the introduction of UAE CT.
Regulator-grade documentation
Every output document is ready for audit and investor scrutiny — whatever the size of the deal.
Multi-jurisdiction within the group
Cross-border work is handled inside the group — no chain of external subcontractors.
How the work is structured
A 4-stage process led by a single named partner — from the intro call to the operational hand-over.
Risk assessment
Risk assessment across products, clients and geography
Program development
Manuals, training and control mechanisms
Regulator submission
Submission of the documentation to the regulator
Monitoring
Reviews, audits and keeping the program current
What we need from you · what you get from us
What we need from you to begin — and what you walk away with. We won't pester you with needless questions: we already have most of the answers.
- Activity / sector descriptionstructured
- Customer-base profiledocumented
- Geographic exposuremapped
- Existing controls (if any)stated
- AML/CFT risk assessmentregulator-ready
- Compliance manual + proceduresoperational
- MLRO appointednamed officer
- Training programme (annual)delivered
- Customer DD templatesready to use
- Sanctions/PEP screening liveautomated
Four ways to work together
We don't quote a fixed price without understanding your situation — cost depends on the complexity of your case. Start with an initial call, then we pick the right format.
Intro call
A 30-minute online consultation. We discuss your situation, define the project scope, and propose a structure and timeline.
Written analysis
A written consultation with a full review of the business — tax positioning, structure options, jurisdiction comparison, banking path. Turnaround: 5 business days.
Operating roadmap
For complex situations — multi-jurisdiction structures, regulated activity, founder relocation. A full plan with stages, dependencies, deliverables and timing.
Direct execution
You know what you need — we execute. No advisory mark-up and no discovery phase.
Fill in the questionnaire
Complete the online questionnaire: it creates your account on the portal, where your structure, renewal reminders and documents will live.
Fill in the questionnaire
4 steps · creates an INNOVA portal account · 24h review.
Once you submit the questionnaire we create a portal account. Inside: your live structure, a renewals calendar (annual returns, register updates, tax filings), a document vault (certificates, share register, bank letters), a partner chat and project status. A single place for your entire operational life.
From a client
A review from a client who went through a comparable project. Verified, the engagement is ongoing.
Frequently asked questions
The questions we're asked most often. If yours isn't here, an intro call is the fastest way to get an answer.
Most “MLRO services” projects in the United Kingdom run 4–5 weeks start to finish. The fastest stage is document filing; the longest is post-registration onboarding (banking, tax registration). A single named partner runs the project throughout.
From US$ 6,500 · program development. The lower bound is for clean, standard profiles; the upper bound is for complex ownership structures, multi-jurisdiction projects or regulated activity. A fixed quote follows a 30-minute scoping call.
In most cases, no. The entire process runs remotely under a notarised power of attorney. A handful of jurisdictions require an in-person visit (typically biometrics for a residence permit) — we plan those as efficiently as possible.
MLR 2017 applies to UK businesses in the 'regulated sector' — including credit institutions, financial institutions, auditors, accountants, tax advisers, estate agents, and high-value dealers. Obligated entities must: appoint a Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), conduct customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD) for high-risk customers, maintain transaction records for 5 years, and submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the National Crime Agency (NCA). We build the AML programme around your risk profile.
Any UK business that is subject to MLR 2017 must appoint an MLRO at senior management level. The MLRO is responsible for receiving internal AML disclosures, deciding whether to file a SAR with the NCA, and ensuring the AML policy is kept up to date. For FCA-supervised firms, the MLRO must be approved as an SMF17 (Money Laundering Reporting Function) under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR). We set up the role and procedures properly.
MLR 2017 breaches can attract unlimited civil financial penalties, FCA public censure, and criminal prosecution under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) or the Terrorism Act 2000. The NCA also has powers to suspend activities. Recent FCA enforcement actions have resulted in fines exceeding £100m for systemic AML failures at large financial institutions. Individuals — including MLROs — can face personal liability and criminal charges. The stakes are high — the processes have to work.
MLRO services in other countries
The same service — in every jurisdiction we run. One desk, one standard.
