Clive Forbes, Business Risk Analyst for Comsure, has been awarded membership to The Association of British Investigators (ABI) making him one of only two full members across the Channel Islands.Formed in 1913, the ABI has become the kite mark of the investigation industry. It is the longest established organisation representing professional Private Investigators across the UK. The association campaigns for regulation and promotes excellence, integrity and professionalism within its membership.

Clive’s initiation to the select group coincides with new guidance published by the JFSC to advise local businesses to undertake Enhanced Customer Due Diligence for higher risk customers. In their update the JFSC suggest that a relevant person may demonstrate that it has applied enhanced CDD measures under Article 15(1) (b) of the Money Laundering Order. Clive’s acceptance into the ABI affords him and Comsure the requisite skills to offer specialist security agency work as outlined in the JFSC AML handbook (Part 1: Section 3 – Customer Due Diligence Requirements).

Following this new guidance, finance businesses are advised to obtain reliable information from a public or private informant about the source of funds involved and/or customer’s source of wealth – Clive is one of the only people in the Channel Islands with the skills to carry out this work. As one of an elite group of professionals able to provide independent and reliable reports concerning the source of funds and/or a customer’s source of wealth, likewise he can provide training in this area. Clive has provided due diligence reports on people and companies from all over the world including Botswana, Kenya, Russia, Bahrain as well as many other high-risk regions.

Clive joined Jersey company Comsure in November 2012 to spearhead their growing intelligence business. Previously Clive worked on a number of high profile national and international cases combating serious and organised crime, firstly whilst serving as a detective in the West Yorkshire Police Major Crime Unit, the Regional and National Crime Squads, and following his retirement from the service, as a senior officer in the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (“SOCA”).

Clive Forbes, Business Risk Analyst, Comsure, says:

‘I had to meet stringent criteria to be selected for membership to the ABI but being credited with the kite mark is an honour. I am now part of a network that spans the best intelligence expertise across the UK. The accreditation will improve the Enhance Due Diligence (EDD) investigatory service Comsure offers and enable clients to meet the new EDD guidelines outlined by the JFSC.’

Mathew Beale, Managing Director, Comsure, says:

‘This is an important development for Comsure and its clients. We can now provide the services of a local accredited specialist security agency alleviating the need for local businesses to seek advice from overseas. Due diligence providers will not only save clients’ money but also provide continuity in advice for any follow up actions.’