Niamh Higgins

Niamh Higgins is Aviva’s Group Conduct and Compliance Risk Director, appointed in 2024. She previously served as Chief Compliance Officer for Legal and General plc and Vanguard Europe and has held senior roles at HSBC, Visa and PwC. She maintains an active interest in industry and risk developments, studying Artificial Intelligence, Sustainable Finance, ESG and Board Governance at institutions such as Oxford University, Cambridge University and Berkeley Law School.

What makes you a Risky Woman?

Niamh Higgins is a standout leader driving integrity and innovation in financial services. As Aviva’s Group Conduct and Compliance Risk Director, she reshapes culture from the top. A trusted advisor to Boards she has worked with across Financial Services and a frequent industry speaker, she’s a powerful role model in risk, governance and compliance.

Name your top 3 achievements

1. Pioneered innovation in controls management by embedding scalable, tech-driven solutions across global compliance frameworks.
2. Championed the advancement of women in risk and controls, mentoring rising talent and driving inclusive leadership.

3. Transformational change of compliance functions, leading to tech enabled, smarter ways of working. In doing do, shaping the development of next-generation compliance technology.

What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?

Taking on the Group Chief Compliance and Conduct Officer role at Aviva during a period of regulatory upheaval was perhaps the biggest career risk in Niamh’s career. She stepped into a high-stakes environment, committed to collaboratively driving change and modernising compliance systems, knowing the impact would support the company’s success for years to come.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

Most people don’t know that Niamh is purist when it comes to coffee. It’s how she starts every day, a quiet ritual that keeps her grounded no matter how complex the compliance landscape gets.

What is the best quality for successful leaders in Risk?

Courage – the courage to speak up, challenge the status quo, and make tough calls even when they’re unpopular.