Adrian Cliffe Mubangizi’s childhood was shaped by a unique, globe-trotting lifestyle, thanks to his mother’s career with the United Nations (UN).
Her assignments took the family across continents, exposing Adrian to diverse cultures and environments. This constant movement required him to adapt quickly, forging new friendships and relationships every few years.
Despite this nomadic upbringing, Adrian holds a deep connection to his roots in Uganda. His memories of growing up there remain some of his most cherished, as they gave him a sense of stability and belonging amidst the frequent relocations.
With its vibrant culture and natural beauty, Uganda left an indelible mark on Adrian’s formative years. The country’s rich traditions and close-knit communities instilled in him values of resilience and adaptability that would later define his professional journey.
While his global exposure broadened his perspective, Uganda grounded him with a strong sense of identity. These early experiences shaped his worldview and prepared him for a career in governance and compliance, where understanding diverse contexts and navigating complexities are essential skills.
“When I see kids these days growing up indoors focused on watching TV or content on mobile devices, it is a stark contrast to my childhood.”, Adrian tells CEO East Africa. “ I grew up outdoors, running around Mbuya and Bugolobi.”
Adrian attended high school in Uganda, going to Busoga College Mwiri, where he attained his Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) in 2004. He then left for England permanently, where he attended the University of Warwick for a Bachelor of Laws, graduating in 2007. This was when he faced the prospect of deciding what to do next.
“I returned to Uganda and interned at a law firm in Nakasero. Its partner was also the company secretary for the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA). I talked with him about what I need to become an in-house counsel for a body like ERA. This is when he mentioned getting certifications from the ICSA.”.
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA), now known as the Chartered Governance Institute, is a professional body for governance professionals and company secretaries. Founded in 1891, it offers qualifications, training, and resources across several jurisdictions, including the UK and Ireland.
However, Adrian also wanted to pursue a Master’s in Law. Ultimately, he decided to do both rather than choose one over the other. He returned to his alma mater, the University of Warwick, for his Master’s, graduating in 2012.
“Doing both (Masters and ICSA) turned out to be a masterstroke. When I finished my masters, most of my offers were because I also had the ICSA certifications as well.”
Arian’s first job was at D.L. Anderson Financial Management and Public Accounts from September 2011 to April 2014, where he was the Deputy Corporation Secretary in London. But he wanted to work internationally.
Irene Mwoyogwona: Beyond the Numbers – How Pride Bank's Award-Winning CFO Combines Profitability and Social Impact“I wanted to see what the world had to offer. At that point, I had no girlfriend or any children, so It was easy for me to uproot my life, take risks and move elsewhere. So I kept on looking for these opportunities.”
In May 2014, Adrian joined AMS Financial Group, which merged with Circle Partners in 2021 to become Bolder Group. Bolder Group is an independent global service provider that offers corporate funds, governance and private wealth solutions to asset managers and corporations. Headquartered in the Netherlands, it operates in 18 countries, including the British Virgin Islands, where Adrian was posted.
“When I joined, an opportunity arose in the British Virgin Islands. I was asked to be an understudy to a lady who wanted to retire. She was supposed to transfer as much knowledge possible to me so that I could hold the fort after her retirement. I got appointed the local head for Financial, Risk and Regulatory Compliance when she left.”
Adrian held that role for almost 8 years before being promoted to Head of Compliance for the American region in October 2021 and finally, Global Head of Compliance in January 2024.
He guides international clients on matters such as the Automatic Exchange of Information and jurisdiction-specific regulations. With extensive experience in governance, risk, and compliance, he formulates policies, manages financial crime risks, and navigates complex regulatory frameworks.
His leadership ensures that Bolder Group maintains high integrity and diligence while adapting to evolving international compliance landscapes. He breaks down his day-to-day workload.
“I go to the gym with my wife at 5:30 AM, but while there, I begin my work day because some of the countries that we operate in are 12 hours ahead of the British Virgin Islands where I am based. When I go to the office, I usually focus on updates from our stakeholders across the world. I deal with the ones in Asia and Europe first, then the Americas in the afternoon.”
“I am the highest escalation point in terms of compliance and regulatory issues, for example, if our business relationship manager intends to bring on a new client for our Swiss office, our local regulatory and compliance team members would like at the profile of the client, and if they can’t agree, they would bring that file to me.”
Working in a company that operates in 18 markets and rising to lead its compliance team globally is no mean feat for Adrian. One of the attributes that has served him well is understanding competition.
“Competition is real. You eat what you kill. There is always that mentality that I have of doing better than the person before me and also making it almost impossible for the person after me to surpass my achievements. But of course, you run your race. But also, success is all about learning and adapting. Don’t be rigid. This is what I learnt the hard way when I arrived in England. “.
