Scott Essex will be new chief compliance officer of Citizens Financial Group

PROVIDENCE – Citizens Financial Group Inc. last month announced Scott Essex, former deputy chief compliance officer, is being promoted to chief compliance officer beginning Oct. 17.
Essex will succeed Bob Nelson, who’s retiring Oct. 31. He will report to chief risk officer Malcom Griggs, according to the announcement.
“Scott is well-placed to take over the leadership of the compliance organization as we execute on our long-planned transition,” Griggs said. “With more than 25 years of experience in financial services, he has deep expertise in compliance, operational risk management, business operations and change management. Since joining Citizens, Scott has had a major impact on the Compliance organization.”
Essex earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University and his master of architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, according to the announcement. He also received Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees from Rutgers University.
Griggs, in the announcement, thanked Nelson for his service to the company, which is Rhode Island’s largest with $145.2 billion in assets. Nelson joined Citizens in 2010 after working 23 years at Citigroup.
“Bob moved over from Strategy to become chief compliance officer in 2013, demonstrating his versatility,” Griggs said. “Under Bob’s leadership, we’ve made tremendous strides in building an effective compliance-management system. I’d like to congratulate Bob on his achievements over a long and highly accomplished career and wish him well on his retirement.”