Synchron appoints compliance head

In a statement released on Wednesday, Synchron said it had appointed Hanna Abdullah, currently head of compliance and chief risk officer for independent licensee Sentry Group, to fill the role of head of compliance, policy and regulatory.

The dealer group said its general manager of legal and compliance Michael Jones, who was promoted into the role in February, had resigned effective 14 August.

Ms Abdullah, who was currently based in Perth, would commence in the role on 17 August and relocate to Synchron's head office in Melbourne when COVID restrictions permitted.

Mr Jones, a former director of compliance for UBS Wealth Management, joined the company in 2016.

Synchron director Don Trapnell said Mr Jones' role would be eliminated in favour of two heads of compliance, with Ms Abdullah to work alongside Synchron's head of compliance, advice assurance, Allison Massey.

"We have decided not to fill the role vacated by Michael, but in recognition of the importance of compliance, instead to elevate both heads of compliance so that they report directly to the Synchron board," Mr Trapnell said.

"We thank Michael for the valuable contribution he made to Synchron during his time with us. He leaves with our very best wishes."

The group had also promoted senior compliance officer Stefanie Georgiades to the role of team leader, regulator compliance, reporting to Ms Abdullah.