AFB Practice Roundtable: Priorities for Internal Audit Planning for 2027

As internal audit teams develop their audit plans for the coming year, AFB is convening an in-person roundtable discussion in partnership with Deloitte to explore which topics and assurance priorities members should consider in their 2027 plan.

Why attend?

Internal audit is increasingly expected to contribute to the development of a firm’s strategy and resilience. Led by experts at Deloitte, the discussion will focus on what topics internal audit should consider prioritising as well as the scope of areas to include within the 2027 plan. The session will explore emerging and high-priority topics, including areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Risk Culture, Cyber security, and evolving regulatory expectations.

There will be opportunities for discussion with other attendees as well as Deloitte. AFB will circulate an agenda and series of questions to attendees in advance which will be used to aid discussions.

The Chatham House Rule will apply to this event to encourage open dialogue and discussion.

There will be refreshments and networking from 15:30 before the roundtable discussion commences at 16:00.

Please note that capacity for the roundtable is limited to 30 members and one person per member bank.

Who should attend?

The roundtable is aimed at representatives from Internal Audit functions.

Facilitators

Russell Davis

Russell Davis is the lead Banking and Capital Markets Internal Audit Partner at Deloitte. He has provided a range of internal audit, external audit and other assurance and advisory services to FS institutions for over 27 years, both in Europe, the US and globally. He has led several reviews of IA functions at a range of FS institutions, including some of the largest global banks and insurers in recent years.

Russell has significant experience working with IA and risk management functions at numerous banks, including during periods of significant change. He is experienced in establishing and running co-source / outsourced IA arrangements at a variety of different-sized banks and other financial institutions.

Mahmood Zaman

Mahmood is a Director in Deloitte’s Internal Audit practice, with over 19 years of experience across the UK and US financial services markets. He has led and managed large strategic internal audit engagements for global organisations, including major banking, capital markets and FinTech clients. Mahmood brings deep experience in internal audit transformation, risk assessment and planning, co-source and outsource delivery, and engagement with executive and independent non-executive leadership. He has specifically supported IA functions of large global FS organisations with a UK subsidiary / branch.

Disha Thakkar

Disha is a Senior Manager in Deloitte’s Banking and Capital Markets Internal Audit practice, with over 13 years of experience. She has supported several clients across banking and capital markets, FinTechs, payments, insurance organisations, across the UK, Europe, the US, Africa and Asia. Supported global FS functions with IA transformations, helping clients provide improved assurance whilst reducing overall costs of the function. She has also led large External Quality Assessment (EQAs) for global banks and regulatory remediation engagements; advising clients with recommendations aligned with regulatory expectations and proportionate to the business.

Roshan James

Roshan is an Associate Director in Deloitte’s Technology Assurance practice, with 15 years of experience across IT assurance and advisory services, primarily in financial services. She has supported banks, insurers, asset managers and payment services firms, with particular expertise in information security, data protection, third-party risk, payment attestations and operational resilience. Roshan also has experience developing risk-based internal audit plans, leading technology audits and reporting to senior stakeholders.

Anna Gooch

Anna has over 25 years of experience in the financial sector, spanning Corporate Finance and front office roles at major investment banks and evolving into specialisation in surveillance and compliance. Anna currently works within the Capital Markets team at Deloitte covering topics such as conflicts of interest, market abuse and regulatory frameworks/operating models. Prior to joining Deloitte last year, she spent 13 years leading the Market Abuse Investigations team at the Financial Conduct Authority.

Logistics

Fee:          Included in AFB membership

Format:    In person at Deloitte, 2 New Street Square, London EC4A 3BZ

                   (nearest stations: Farringdon or Chancery Lane)

Date:        Tuesday 14 July 2026

Time:        16:00 – 17:30 (arrivals and refreshments from 15:30)

If you would like to submit any questions or have any specific areas that you would like the session to address, please email secretariat@foreignbanks.org.uk. You will receive the joining instructions for this in-person roundtable a week before the event.