ABOUT US
UGR Consulting LLC provides leading Subject Matter Expert (SME) advisory and Regtech Solutions to mitigate financial crime exposure and vulnerability to regulatory scrutiny. We aim to overcome our clients’ reputational risk and financial crime challenges by customizing solutions, combining automated technologies and analytical expertise tailored to specific needs.
Approach
Our approach is a holistic solution to risk. We are a network platform of top-tier technologies and premium Subject Matter Experts with proven years of international experience delivering superior results to clients. By combining industry expertise with the right risk-based methodology, technology and smart practices, we ensure our clients make the best use of the tools we deliver. Our innovative advisory solutions and next-generation technology can help you meet your ultimate business objectives, in accordance with all applicable regulations, in the most efficient way possible. With our user-friendly tools, you can quickly and easily contain risks related to the constant stream of financial crime threats, fraud, and laws and regulations that we are increasingly facing.
The business and regulatory environment is continuously evolving, and organizations need to have the right answers to navigate this with success in a complex and demanding context. While this can be overwhelming, we offer access to experts who have overcome these very challenges: individuals vetted for their level of insight, who can cover even niche areas of risk and can guide you in the best use and calibrations of technologies.
Mission
Our mission is to provide you with unparalleled service by imparting our knowledge and proficiency to help you achieve your business objectives while mitigating overall risk. We take special focus in developing long-lasting relationships with our clients throughout the process. We don't just render services, we offer effective solutions tailored to your unique situation and challenges.
Industries
We proudly work with clients in financial services, fintech, regtech, blockchain and cryptocurrencies space as well as with digital Startups, private equity, consulting firms and businesses across various industries.
Our Values
Integrity
Professionalism
Knowledge
Confidentiality
Client focused
Discretion
Quality
Passion
TECHNOLOGY
We’ve vetted the best regtech solutions and can help you identify what’s best suited for you. You don’t have to spend time and money choosing among different vendors that may charge much higher prices, provide legacy systems, and still rely on internal manual processes without you knowing it. Our tools provide fully automated investor and customer screening, as well as transaction monitoring applications with perfect calibration and analytics.
ADVISORY
We give you access to the best SMEs in the industry, experts on matters intersecting compliance, blockchain, and technical implementation. Our experts include former bank executives, senior compliance officers, AML & KYC experts, general counsels, bank regulators, law enforcement officials, etc. They are well equipped to develop solid crypto compliance programs, enhanced due diligence procedures, and define actions to take in risky situations.
OUR TEAM
Hourad Afsar - Founder & CEO
Hourad brings 18+ years of AML/KYC compliance, financial crime & regulations experience working in the financial services & information technology industry around the world. Prior to founding UGR Consulting, he held various leadership roles at Thomson Reuters (Now Refinitiv), Credit Suisse, HSBC and ING Bank successfully managing their Compliance & AML programs. Hourad is passionate about the digital transformation and has experience working with leading Next-Gen Technologies, FinTechs, RegTechs, Blockchain and Cryptocurrency companies, helping them with compliance, regulations, licensing, business development, operations, product development and strategy. He is a regular speaker at events and conferences around those topics.
Hourad has a FinTech Executive Certificate from New York University, Stern School of Business, a Postgraduate in Finance from the University of California, Berkeley and a B.B.A from Webster University Geneva with honors.
He is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and a member of the ACAMS New York Chapter.
Matthew Lancellotti - Software Developer
Matthew is a software developer in the Crypto/Blockchain space. He is open-minded and is passionate about new technologies and becoming greatly interested in Ethereum projects and smart contracts.
He works with products team developing new web applications and improving existing ones. He likes the matehematical theory behing computing and is programming primarily in Python and JavaScript.
Matthew holds a MS in abstract Mathematics (GPA 3.78) from the University of Virginia and graduated with a BS in Mathematics from Rutgers University (GPA 3.94)
Al Pacheco - Business Development Associate
Al has 13+ years experience working in sales and marketing across the financial and pharmaceutical industries. Driven by next-generation technologies and innovation, he takes pride in providing the best customer engagement solutions. As a business development associate, his goals include connecting companies with AML & Compliance expertise and RegTech solutions that will help mitigate compliance and financial crime risk. Al holds an MBA in Supply Chain Analytics & Marketing from Rutgers Business School and graduated with a BS in Economics from the City University of New York- Hunter College.
Peter Gustavsson - Advisory Board
Peter has 25+ years of executive B2B experience from the Food & Beverage industry with several leading companies such as Tetra Pak, Nestlé & Firmenich. Currently Peter the CEO of BeeMed and the Co-Founder of OriginFood , a Blockchain based traceability for Proof-of-Origin, Certification & Sustainability solutions for F&B clients. He also was Head of Business Development for Ambrosus, a market leading Blockchain and IoT platform focusing on blockchain based track & trace solutions for the F&B Industry. He has a strategic and collaborative mindset and extensive experience from building strong and long-term partnerships with demanding international clients from across the globe.
Peter is passionate about new technologies in general, but in particular to ensure that they are leveraged to bring the most strategic value to the industry and society.
Peter holds an M.B.A from the Warwick Business School, University of Warwick
Salil Gupta - Advisory Board
Salil brings 20+ years of successful entrepreneurial and management consulting experience, leading VCare Technology as CEO in digital strategy transformation and data analytics for wireless and financial services customers. He also led multiple engagements at PWC advisory services for clients such as Pepsi, Boston Scientific, Pfizer, United and Merck on compliance, risk and third party agreements.
Salil has valuable digital strategy, operations, business development and technology product development exposure from building strong and process efficient client relationships and strategic alliances.
Salil is knowledgeable and passionate about the Blockchain Technology and the value it brings to various industries. He holds an M.B.A from Babson College, Olin Graduate School of Business.