Top Job Changes Hands at Jersey FIU as McDonald Takes Over

Ian McDonald Appointed Director of Jersey’s Financial Intelligence Unit

• Jersey’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has entered a new chapter with the appointment of Ian McDonald as its Director, following a formal Ministerial Decision on 4 February 2026.
• This move ensures stable leadership as Jersey strengthens its anti-financial-crime capabilities

https://www.gov.je/md/MDAttachments/External%20Relations/Supporting%20Documents%202026/MD-ER-2026-121%20Ministerial%20Decision%20-%20Appointment%20of%20Director%20of%20Financial%20Intelligence%20Unit.pdf

A Leadership Change with Strategic Impact

• McDonald takes up the role on a 12-month secondment from Jersey’s Department for the Economy, succeeding Jonathan Groom, MBA, who stepped down after three influential years.
• Groom is widely praised for guiding the FIU through significant development, including its progress toward operational independence.
• Government records show McDonald was selected for his strong professional background and leadership suitability, with no additional financial or resource implications arising from the appointment.

Bringing Deep Expertise in Financial Crime and International Cooperation

• Since joining the Government of Jersey in 2022, McDonald has been instrumental in major strategic initiatives.
• He played a key role in the MONEYVAL 2024 assessment, contributing to Jersey’s successful evaluation outcomes.
• As Head of Delegation to MONEYVAL and the Council of Europe, he has shaped the Island’s financial‑crime policy and helped future-proof Jersey’s defences against emerging risks.

Beyond Jersey, McDonald’s international portfolio includes:

• Service with the FATF Secretariat
• Leadership as Director of an FIU within a British Overseas Territory
• Advisory work supporting AML/CFT, financial‑intelligence, and asset‑recovery reforms across the Caribbean, Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East

This global experience positions him strongly to lead Jersey’s FIU through its continued transformation.

Supporting Global Partnerships

• McDonald is also known for his commitment to international collaboration.
• In 2024, he took part in an Egmont Group–supported knowledge‑exchange programme with Sierra Leone’s Financial Intelligence Agency—reinforcing Jersey’s role in supporting emerging and developing AML/CFT/CPF regimes.
• His remarks during the collaboration highlighted the value of shared expertise and the importance of joint approaches to combating global financial crime.

What This Means for Jersey

As Director, McDonald now assumes responsibility for:

• The FIU’s strategic and operational leadership
• Coordinating intelligence activities with both domestic and international partners
• Supporting Jersey’s compliance with global standards  

With McDonald’s combination of on-island experience, global exposure, and policy leadership, his appointment is expected to strengthen Jersey’s resilience and reinforce its reputation as a high-quality international finance centre.

Sources

• [linkedin.com],
• [gov.je]
• [fiu.gov.sl]
• [gov.je]
• https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mathewbealecomsure_ian-mcdonald-has-been-appointed-director-activity-7425878265057210368-GisO?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAAA_6EIB0wPAWyjQcuq_XiD3asUV8xpMeZ0&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=mail