Head of Assurance

The Head of Assurance leads the development, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of Betfred’s Second Line Assurance Framework. This is a senior role within the Governance & Assurance function, responsible for providing independent oversight and challenge across regulatory compliance, financial crime, operational controls, and risk management activities.

The role will play a critical part in protecting Betfred’s licence to operate by ensuring robust assurance over compliance with UK Gambling Commission requirements, anti-money laundering obligations, fraud prevention controls, and wider regulatory expectations.

Working closely with Compliance, Risk, Legal, Operations, Technology, Internal Audit, and Executive stakeholders, the Head of Assurance will drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and proactive control management across the organisation. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong technical expertise, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and the ability to influence at Executive and Board level.

Responsibilities

2nd Line Assurance Framework

• Design, implement, and continuously enhance Betfred’s enterprise wide Second Line Assurance Framework
• Develop and maintain a risk-based assurance plan aligned to regulatory, financial crime, operational, and conduct risks
• Establish consistent assurance methodologies, standards, reporting, and governance across the organisation
• Ensure assurance activities are proportionate, data-driven, and aligned to regulatory expectations and industry best practice
• Define assurance coverage across key regulatory obligations, controls, policies, and processes
• Coordinate assurance activities to minimise duplication and maximise insight across Risk, Compliance, and Internal Audit functions

Regulatory Compliance Assurance

• Provide independent oversight and assurance over compliance with UK Gambling Commission Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP)
• Lead thematic reviews and deep-dive assurance assessments across key regulatory risk areas
• Assess the design and operational effectiveness of regulatory controls and governance arrangements
• Monitor emerging regulatory developments and ensure assurance activity evolves in line with changing expectations
• Support readiness for regulatory inspections, reviews, and external scrutiny
• Provide robust challenge and oversight to ensure identified issues are effectively remediated

Financial Crime Assurance

• Lead and oversee complex assurance reviews across operational, regulatory, and financial crime risk areas
• Ensure assurance reviews are evidence-based, proportionate, and delivered to a high professional standard
• Produce clear, concise, and commercially focused assurance reports with practical recommendations
• Provide independent challenge to senior stakeholders on risk management, control effectiveness, and regulatory compliance
• Escalate material concerns, control weaknesses, or emerging risks appropriately
• Maintain effective issue tracking and validation processes to ensure sustainable remediation

Reporting & Governance

• Develop high-quality management information and assurance reporting for Executive Committees and Board Committees
• Provide insight into assurance outcomes, control effectiveness, emerging risks, and thematic trends
• Support governance committees with clear reporting, challenge, and recommendations
• Ensure robust documentation, audit trails, and evidence management for all assurance activities
• Contribute to the ongoing development of governance and assurance strategies across the organisation

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong and credible relationships across Compliance, Risk, Legal, Operations, Technology, Product, and Executive leadership teams
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on assurance, regulatory, and financial crime matters
• Influence positive control environments and drive accountability for remediation activities
• Promote a strong culture of compliance, transparency, and continuous improvement
• Support training and awareness initiatives relating to assurance, regulatory obligations, and financial crime risks

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Support the continued development and…