Head of Risk

We are seeking an experienced risk leader to provide interim senior-level cover within a regulated investment business.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the successful candidate will take responsibility for the firm’s risk function and hold the SMF 4 designation. Although this is not a formal board position, the role will participate in senior leadership forums and provide constructive challenge to executives and key stakeholders.

An established Risk Manager and Risk Analyst are responsible for day-to-day activity. The priority for this appointment is therefore to provide leadership, technical expertise and senior-level oversight. Compliance remains a separate function, led by the firm’s SMF 16 and SMF 17.

• Lead the firm’s risk function and provide senior oversight of its risk management framework.
• Assume responsibility for the SMF 4 function, subject to regulatory approval.
• Co-author and oversee the firm’s ICARA process.
• Review and constructively challenge financial and treasury risk models.
• Challenge the assumptions, methodologies and outputs underpinning stress testing.
• Provide practical oversight of liquidity, capital and treasury risks.
• Work closely with Finance while maintaining independent and effective risk challenge.
• Advise the CEO and senior leadership team on material and emerging risks.
• Support leadership forums with clear, commercially relevant risk insights.
• Oversee and support the existing Risk Manager and Risk Analyst.
• Ensure regulatory requirements are met without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Identify proportionate improvements to the risk framework, controls and reporting.
• Maintain effective engagement with the FCA and other relevant stakeholders where required.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Significant experience in a senior financial risk, treasury risk or enterprise risk position.
• Strong knowledge of ICARA, capital adequacy, liquidity risk and stress testing.
• The technical confidence to challenge Finance models and underlying assumptions.
• Experience with in a MiFID-regulated or comparable financial services business.
• A background in wealth management, private banking, investment platforms, life insurance or pensions.
• Experience operating within an FCA-regulated environment.
• Previous SMF 4 approval, or a background sufficiently strong to support a firsttime application.
• The ability to operate credibly with a CEO and senior leadership team.
• A pragmatic, commercial and hands-on approach.
• The ability to distinguish between meaningful risk management and unnecessary governance or documentation.
• Experience leading or supporting a small risk team.