Guernsey appoints new Head of Financial Intelligence Unit

Tuesday 09 June 2026

Neil Allen has been appointed as the new Head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) for the Bailiwick of Guernsey. He brings extensive senior leadership experience in tackling illicit finance, money laundering, and organised crime.

Mr Allen joins the FIU after a long and respected career with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in the UK. There, he led major intelligence and investigative teams targeting money laundering networks. Under his leadership, HMRC significantly expanded its ability to detect and investigate money laundering and placed greater emphasis on prosecuting these offences directly.

Working with senior leaders across HMRC, Mr Allen helped shift resources toward targeting the criminal networks responsible for moving and hiding the proceeds of crime. His collaborative approach strengthened partnerships with both UK and international agencies, improving the ability to disrupt money launderers and the systems they rely on.

This announcement is being made on International FIU Day (9th June) that celebrates the vital role FIUs play in safeguarding financial systems across the world from criminal abuse and promotes the international cooperation against money laundering and terrorist financing.

The FIU plays a vital role in protecting the Bailiwick's financial system. It collects, analyses, and shares information about suspected money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crime. The FIU acts as a bridge between the financial services industry and law enforcement, turning information from businesses into intelligence that can help stop criminal activity and protect Guernsey's reputation.

By working closely with local firms, overseas partners, and international bodies such as the Egmont Group, the FIU helps identify new risks, trace illegal funds, and support investigations into both local offenders and global criminal networks. Through strong partnerships and a clear focus on intelligence-led work, the FIU forms a key part of Guernsey's defence against financial crime.

Most recently, Mr Allen served as HMRC's International Threat Lead for illicit finance, sanctions evasion, and strategic exports. In that role, he helped build stronger cooperation with global law enforcement partners to prevent criminals from accessing illegal funds.

In Guernsey, Mr Allen aims to place the FIU at the heart of law enforcement efforts to protect the island's financial sector. His priorities include improving intelligence sharing, increasing opportunities to recover illegal assets, and ensuring the FIU remains an active and forward-thinking member of the Egmont Group.

He also plans to strengthen relationships with overseas agencies to identify money laundering groups that may try to exploit Guernsey. Preparing for future challenges, such as the growing use of cryptocurrencies to move funds quickly, will be a key part of his work. Another major focus will be ensuring the FIU is well positioned ahead of the next Moneyval review in 2032.

Neil Allen, Deputy Director and Head of the Bailiwick of Guernsey FIU, said:

"I am delighted to take on the role of Head of the FIU in Guernsey. The island has a strong and respected financial sector and protecting it from those who seek to exploit it is a responsibility I take very seriously. By building trusted partnerships, improving intelligence sharing, and working closely across the Bailiwick and internationally, we can disrupt money launderers and protect our community and our industry. I look forward to leading the FIU as we strengthen our capabilities and ensure Guernsey remains a hostile environment for illicit finance."

More information about the work of Guernsey FIU and details of how to report suspicious activity can be found at: www.guernseyfiu.gov.gg