Meet Rabih Zeitouny - Senior Consultant, Payment Services

Posted on: 4 July 2024

Written by: Rabih Zeitouny

Rabih Zeitouny

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I am originally from Lebanon and kick-started my career at Deloitte there, where I spent over three years in their audit and assurance department. My main clients back then were banks and NGOs, which kept my work varied and exciting.

In 2018, I decided to take a leap and move to London to pursue a Masters in Finance and Accounting at Imperial College. One of the highlights of my time there was a class on fintech, which opened my eyes to AI and blockchain. This inspiration even led me to write my dissertation on RegTech and the future of regulatory compliance where I tried to merge my experience as an auditor with my then newfound passion for fintech, applying what I knew to something I was genuinely excited about.

During a job fair at Imperial, while I was writing my dissertation, I met the team from Cosegic. We had an in-depth discussion about the application of technology in regulation and how the regulatory environment is shifting with new technologies. Almost five years later, I am still with Cosegic, finding the work both challenging and rewarding.

What excites you about working for Cosegic?

What excites me about working for Cosegic is the freedom and support to innovate. I am given carte blanche to develop new ideas and projects, and if I present a solid concept to a manager, they will provide the resources needed to bring it to life. This level of trust and encouragement is incredibly motivating.

I also appreciate that Cosegic offers the flexibility to work outside of the UK for several days each year, allowing me to spend more time with my family in Lebanon while continuing to work on my projects.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is creating solutions for the challenges that many firms face. Seeing a simple idea, proposed and accepted by the firm, come to fruition and ultimately help our clients achieve their goals is incredibly satisfying.

What areas do you see as the biggest challenges, and what opportunities come with them?

Personally, a key challenge is understanding the specific expectations of the FCA and effectively communicating complex regulatory requirements to our clients. This involves breaking down intricate elements into clear, actionable steps that both meet regulatory standards and provide a solid framework for our clients.

These challenges also present valuable opportunities. They drive me to seek out patterns and trends, fostering a deeper understanding of what strategies work best in different contexts. This curiosity and analytical approach enable us to develop innovative solutions, ultimately improving our services and client outcomes.

What are you working on at the moment?

Currently, my work revolves around retainer contracts where I conduct audits and, more recently, Consumer Duty assurance reviews. I am also heavily involved in developing wind-down plans for firms, ensuring they meet regulatory standards and are well-prepared for any events.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

The best piece of advice I have been given is, "If a task takes less than two minutes to do, do it right away and do not postpone it." This approach helps keep the little things from piling up and becoming overwhelming.

Describe yourself in three words.

Curious, determined, and resilient.

Outside of work, what keeps you busy?

I enjoy the cinema, a lot. I have a list of my top-rated movies, ranked from the best to the 200th, which I continuously monitor and adjust as I watch new films. I also try to travel a lot and visit friends who live outside of the UK.