As a part of our Projects team, Aafreen specialises in incorporation and authorisation support services, including company formation and compliance projects. Aafreen also acts as Company Secretary for DFSA-and FSRA authorised firms in the DIFC and in the ADGM.
Aafreen takes a hands-on approach when liaising with government, regulatory and statutory authorities including the DIFC and ADGM registrars. Her areas of expertise include corporate and legal affairs, regulatory compliance, secretarial audit and corporate governance.
Previously, Aafreen worked for a DFSA-regulated category 3C firm in the DIFC, providing compliance support to the business. Before moving to Dubai, Aafreen spent five years with a corporate service provider as a Company Secretary and Compliance Officer in India, managing various corporate compliance and secretarial matters. In addition, Aafreen conducted secretarial audits, due diligence, corporate filings and listing applications for major leading corporates.
Aafreen qualified as Company Secretary from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) in 2014 and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.COM) degree from the University of Delhi. She has completed a Diploma in Compliance, AML and Financial Crime from the CCL Academy in December 2021.
Recent work includes:
- Acting as MLRO for an FSRA-registered firm in the ADGM.
- Appointed as Company Secretary for DIFC and ADGM firms.
- Assisting applicants to obtain regulatory authorisation in the Financial Free Zones for different categories of licence including the preparation of their compliance framework in line with regulatory requirements.
- Assisting applicants with DIFC/ADGM incorporation and ancillary services following incorporation including developing a full suite of compliance documentation.
- Handling the incorporation and registration of both DIFC and ADGM companies.
- Providing assistance and advice in ROC-related matters including company updates on the DIFC Portal and ADGM Registry Portal.
- Providing ongoing AML and compliance support including reviews of firms’ compliance manuals, policies and procedures.
- Reviewing client KYCs and assisting with the onboarding of new clients and client engagements.
