Head of Fund Services, Board Director, Wealth Management

Our client is a UK Wealth Manager with an internal ACD structure seeking a board-level leader to head fund services and investment operations. The role drives product governance and risk, ensuring robust compliance and positive customer outcomes. SMF3 accountability and CASS oversight are central.

Serve as Executive Director (SMF3) on the ACD Board, providing strategic leadership, governance and oversight.

Lead product governance, including product reviews, Assessment of Value, Consumer Duty reporting and TCFD.

Manage third-party oversight of administrators, custodians and transfer agents under robust SLAs.

Hold prescribed responsibility for Client Assets; design and maintain the CASS governance framework.

Maintain an investment risk framework; oversee limits and restrictions (UCITS, NURS) and derivative use.

Partner with the CIO to ensure investment activities align with mandates and client interests.

Oversee fund operations : fund accounting, valuations, NAV, trade processing and record-keeping.

Act as Board escalation point for CASS audits, breaches and remediation; engage with regulators and auditors.

Lead strategic and operational change initiatives; chair or contribute to key risk and product forums.

Extensive leadership in investment management, fund governance or ACD services within the UK market.

Proven board-level experience, ideally as SMF3, shaping strategy, governance and investment decisions.

Deep knowledge of investment operations, trading, derivatives and FCA regimes (UCITS, AIFMD, MiFID II).

Expertise in investment risk, product governance (Assessment of Value, Consumer Duty) and CASS oversight.

Track record delivering fund launches / closures and high-quality fund literature.

Ability to chair governance committees and manage significant third-party oversight.

Educated to degree level; postgraduate / professional qualifications (e.g., CFA, MBA, CISI) advantageous.

Inclusive leadership and strong communication skills.