Leo James

Head of Technology Risk Oversight - Natwest Digital X & Functions, Group Non-Financial Risk at Natwest Group

Speaker

Leo has a wealth of risk management expertise across a number risk disciplines, having spent a career across 1LOD and 2LOD and worked at NatWest since 2007. Leo brings this wealth of experience to support and oversee NWG manage its IT risks and emerging technology. He currently heads up the Technology Risk Oversight team in 2LOD, providing insight, oversight and challenge to CTO, CIO and 1LOD colleagues on the adoption of Cloud, having also worked with Boston Consulting Group to oversee NWG Cloud Hosting Strategy and risk framework.

Leo has led on transforming how NWG thinks about and manages Cloud adoption risks, particularly public cloud and leveraging strategic cloud provider partnerships to manage a complex IT estate and strengthen operational resilience. Leo has leveraged his experience and network to ensure risks associated with Cloud are understood and appropriate guardrails are in place. He has ensured NWG board have awareness and understanding of these risks, particularly Cloud concentration risk, by defining cloud risk appetite. And driving the need early on for a Cloud adoption strategy that encompasses the many different businesses needs within NWG.

Recently Leo partnered with AWS to develop a bankwide cloud scenario, with a focus on severity and plausibility, aligning to regulatory expectations on operational resilience in preparation for PS21/3 deadline.