Uncompromising Technical Rigour
In AML compliance, guesswork is a liability. We apply over 30 years of forensic accountancy experience and deep statutory knowledge to ensure your risk assessments and policies are watertight.
About MLRO Support
Our Story
Professional AML Safeguards Built on Decades of Regulatory Authority
Since March 2004, we have provided peer-to-peer advice, forensic-grade systems evaluations, and support for UK accountants, bookkeepers and tax advisers who are obligated to comply with evolving AML legislation.
Whatever your AML concerns, protect your practice, your licence, and your professional liberty with expert, confidential oversight. Book an initial, complimentary call with David now.
Two Decades of Standing Between UK Professionals and Regulators
MLRO Support was founded with a singular, critical objective: to provide senior-level, practical anti-money laundering backup to professionals carrying personal legal liability. We don't sell generic checklists. We help you build defensive systems that survive aggressive supervisory scrutiny.
2004
Formation of MLRO Support
Formed shortly after the introduction of the landmark Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) and the Money Laundering Regulations 2003. David Winch FCA and Bob Edwards FCCA recognised that practitioners faced immense personal liability without access to peer-level, forensic-grade technical advice.
2017
Navigating the MLR 2017 Overhaul
As the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017 came into force, we rebuilt compliance frameworks for numerous UK firms. We introduced forensic-grade risk assessments and policies designed to pass the most stringent regulator inspections.
2026
Confronting Aggressive Supervision
Regulators (including the ICAEW, ACCA, HMRC, and other professional bodies) have drastically intensified their inspection practices, treating minor administrative deficiencies with severe penalties. Today, we act as a vital shield for firms across the UK, ensuring their systems "pass muster" before the inspector knocks.
Our Core Compliance Values
Our Values
The principles that protect your practice, preserve your reputation, and deliver absolute regulatory peace of mind.
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Absolute Peer Confidentiality
Speaking to us is a safe harbour. We provide highly discrete, peer-to-peer consultations without judgment, exposure, or risk of tipping off, maintaining absolute professional discretion.
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Audit-Ready, Bespoke Delivery
We reject generic 'tick-box' templates that fail real-world supervisory inspections. Every firm-wide risk assessment and manual we deliver is tailor-drafted to mirror your specific firm size, risk profile, services and clients.
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Proactive Regulatory Defence
We prepare your practice before the knock on the door. Our systems evaluations identify and resolve hidden deficiencies while they are still internal matters rather than regulatory penalties.
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Unvarnished Intellectual Honesty
We tell you exactly what you need to hear, not what is comfortable. If your current policies have vulnerabilities, we point them out directly and provide concrete steps to correct them.
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Ongoing Strategic Backup
Compliance is not a one-off filing; it is an evolving challenge. We act as your long-term compliance partner, standing ready to provide rapid 'Second Opinions' whenever a suspicious activity or high-risk client arises.
Why Regulated UK Firms Choose MLRO Support
MLRO Support was founded with a singular, critical objective: to provide senior-level, practical anti-money laundering backup to professionals carrying personal legal liability. We don't sell generic checklists. We help you build systems that survive aggressive supervisory scrutiny.
The Industry Standard (Templates & Software)
Generic, downloadable 'cheat sheets' that fail real supervisory audits and ignore your firm's specific risk factors.
Junior, non-qualified consultants learning compliance on your billable time.
Theoretical, academic advice copied from regulatory textbooks with no practical casework application.
'Tick-box' software solutions that generate data but leave you with personal legal liability.
Opaque, fluctuating hourly billing with no accountability for the final regulatory outcome.
MLRO Support (Bespoke Professional Advice)
Legally binding, customized firm-wide risk assessments and manuals custom-drafted for your practice.
Highly experienced, senior Chartered Accountants (FCA and FCCA) leading every technical review.
Practical, court-tested insight derived from decades of Crown Court forensic expert witness testimony.
1-on-1, confidential backup and 'Second Opinions' on high-stakes reporting and client exposure.
Fully transparent, fixed pricing agreed in advance before any service begins.
Our Team
Meet your technical directors
Senior Chartered Accountants combining real-world forensic and operational excellence.
MLRO Support is led by two highly experienced, qualified accountants with complementary roles. David Winch provides the specialist technical expertise behind our AML services, while Bob Edwards manages client relationships and the practical organisation and delivery of our support.
This means clients have access to high-level technical knowledge when they need it, backed by a personal and well-organised service that understands the pressures faced by accountants, MLROs and other regulated professionals.
David Winch
FCA
David Winch is a Chartered Accountant specialising in money laundering, proceeds of crime and financial investigation. He has extensive experience as a forensic accountant and expert witness and is the co-author of books on money laundering, confiscation and restraint. David leads the technical work at MLRO Support, advising accountants, lawyers and MLROs on difficult AML issues, suspicious activity and reporting obligations. He also undertakes AML systems reviews, provides specialist training and offers independent second opinions on complex cases.
Bob Edwards
FCCA
Bob Edwards is a Chartered Certified Accountant with more than 40 years’ experience in professional practice. During his career, he has built and developed accountancy practices and advised a wide range of owner-managed businesses. At MLRO Support, Bob manages client relationships and the practical organisation of assignments. He is often the first point of contact for clients, helping to understand the issue, identify the support required and ensure that assignments progress efficiently from initial enquiry through to completion.
Academic & Legal Authority
Expertise validated by the courts and leading legal publications
Book: 'Money Laundering for Lawyers'
Co-authors David Winch and Janet Bazley KC. A professional textbook outlining the statutory requirements, practical compliance implications, and legal defence strategies under UK money laundering legislation.
2024
Book: 'A Practical Guide to Confiscation and Restraint'
Co-authors David Winch, Narita Bahra KC and John Carl Townsend. A critical legal reference on the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) provisions relating to confiscation and restraint.
2002
Forensic Expert Witness Status
Decades of analytical expertise in complex white-collar crime and financial investigations, providing the practical basis for our AML compliance evaluations.
