Career Biography
Monica Risam is an accomplished dual-qualified UK and US lawyer and a senior legal executive with extensive experience across the financial services sector. She currently serves as Group General Counsel at Starling Bank, where she leads the organisation’s legal, data privacy and regulatory affairs functions, supporting strategic growth and ensuring robust governance across the business.
Monica brings a strong track record of leadership in complex, highly regulated environments. Prior to joining Starling, she was Group General Counsel and Company Secretary at Blackstone-owned Lombard International Group, where she oversaw global legal, compliance, regulatory, and company secretarial teams, and played a key role in aligning legal strategy with business objectives.
Earlier in her career, Monica held a number of senior legal roles at Aviva plc, including General Counsel positions across the UK, Europe, and the wider group, contributing during periods of significant transformation within the organisation. She also gained valuable international experience at GE Capital. Monica began her legal career at the global law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges, working in both London and New York.
Recognised for her strategic mindset and leadership, Monica has been featured in the GC Powerlist for her contributions to the legal profession and her ability to build high-performing, business-aligned legal teams. She is known for fostering a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach, positioning legal functions as key partners in driving commercial success.
Beyond her executive role, Monica is actively engaged in mentoring and supporting the next generation of legal professionals. She is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion within the legal industry, and contributes to a number of charitable and governance initiatives, including serving on boards and advisory committees for organisations such as The Royal British Legion and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Monica holds degrees from Georgetown University Law Center and The George Washington University.