Chief Risk Officer

The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) is a key member of the Executive Committee at Brooks Macdonald, responsible for overseeing the Risk and Compliance teams. This role is pivotal in driving the overall success, growth, and development of the Group. The CRO is accountable to shareholders for creating and delivering sustainable shareholder value through effective management and leadership of the Group’s business. The role ensures that the Group's purpose, values, guiding principles, and strategy are aligned with the delivery of long-term value, providing strategic direction within a framework of rewards, incentives, and controls.

The CRO will define and implement a strategic plan for Group Risk and Compliance, ensuring it meets current business needs and future growth aspirations. This involves scoping the Risk and Compliance frameworks and processes, enhancing team capabilities, and fostering engagement with the business.

This role is in scope of the FCA Senior Manager & Certification Regime. This appointment is subject to regulatory approval by the FCA. SMF role holders have a Duty of Responsibility under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) and must also adhere to the FCA Conduct Rules. You will be subject to a Fit & Proper assessment before you start in role and Annual F&P Assessments thereafter to ensure you remain ‘Fit & Proper’ to hold a regulatory role.

Role Responsibilities:

• Evolve the Risk and Compliance function through development and maintenance of effective processes, covering all areas of Risk and Compliance and establishing implementation and escalation procedures.
• Advise, guide, and challenge the ExCo in setting strategy and managing the business, including preparing for and implementing key initiatives.
• Create and maintain Group frameworks to meet governance, risk, and regulatory requirements, including establishing a robust risk management framework.
• Contribute to the development and evolution of the Group strategy and ensure the business plans for the Risk and Compliance function align with the strategy.
• Propose and manage the Risk and Compliance budget through careful control of costs, monitoring, and reporting on variances.
• Manage and lead the Risk and Compliance function through development of direct reports.
• Oversee “third line of defence” activities under the guidance of the Group Risk & Compliance Committee, including external resource management.
• Maintain effective relationships with NEDs, particularly the Chair of Risk, the Group CEO, fellow Executive Committee members, and their teams, ensuring balanced counsel and effective challenge.
• Lead the ongoing development of a risk-aware culture across the business, influencing attitudes towards risk.
• Ensure climate-related risks and opportunities are identified, monitored, and managed through the risk management framework and in line with risk appetite.
• Perform role always ensuring adherence to the expected behaviours stated in the FCA Conduct Rules.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Significant experience as a risk, governance, and/or compliance management executive, operating at a senior level in a complex, matrixed organisation.
• Broad-based experience of the financial services industry and ideally the breadth of investment management experience specific to Brooks Macdonald.
• Deep knowledge in risk management and compliance, particularly in asset, investment, or wealth management sectors. Strong understanding of operational elements of a risk management framework and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Familiarity with Internal Audit planning and delivery is advantageous.
• Experience engaging with regulators, shareholders, and the broader stakeholder community, as well as advisers.
• Demonstrable change leadership experience, capable of leading policy and process development and driving implementation.