The Qatar Financial Centre (“QFC”) Regulatory Authority (the “Regulatory Authority”) has decided to issue a public censure against Mr Vincent Jones, the Chairman and independent director of Guardian Wealth Management Qatar LLC (in liquidation) (“GWMQ”). GWMQ was an insurance intermediary firm that sold mainly long-term savings plans in Qatar.

The Regulatory Authority censures Mr Jones under Article 58 of the Financial Services Regulations because Mr Jones’s conduct fell below the Principles of Conduct for an Approved Individual performing the Non-Executive Governance Function. Mr Jones’s contraventions included:

1. Failing to exercise the requisite due skill, care and diligence in relation to his oversight of GWMQ’s compliance with the Governance and Controlled Functions Rules 2012, particularly:

• GWMQ’s failure to establish an appropriate corporate governance framework;
• Failure to review the GWMQ risk management and internal controls framework appropriately and with sufficient frequency; and
• Failure to ensure that GWMQ’s business was financially sound and maintained transparency and disclosure;

1. Failing to deal with the Regulatory Authority in an open and cooperative manner and disclosing appropriately to the Regulatory Authority any information that the Regulatory Authority would reasonably expect notice.

The action taken by the Regulatory Authority emphasises the standards required of directors of authorised firms to ensure effective governance standards, systems and controls.

Mr Jones provided evidence of significant mitigating circumstances, in the absence of which the Regulatory Authority would have imposed a financial penalty of USD $75,000 and a two-year prohibition.

Source: Press release

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

Binu Cherian

Start a discussion