Risk Director in London

We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Director of Risk & Compliance / Chief Risk Officer to lead the second line of defence for a regulated investment management business. This is a senior executive role, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, with a matrix reporting line to the Group Chief Risk & Compliance Officer. The successful candidate will be a key member of the Executive team, providing independent oversight, strategic challenge, and assurance across risk, compliance, and regulatory matters. The role holds SMF16 and SMF17 accountabilities and will work closely with the Board, regulators, and senior stakeholders to ensure the business operates within its risk appetite and regulatory obligations.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the accountable executive for the second line of defence.
• Set and deliver the Risk and Compliance strategy aligned to business objectives.
• Advise the Executive team and Board on regulatory obligations, risk appetite, and risk management effectiveness.
• Chair the Executive Risk and Compliance Committee and attend the Board Risk & Compliance Committee.
• Regularly attend Board meetings to provide risk and compliance updates and independent challenge.
• Design, implement, and maintain an effective risk management framework aligned with Group standards.
• Deliver a robust annual assurance and monitoring plan covering key risks and regulatory exposures.
• Provide independent second line opinions on material business decisions and change initiatives.
• Oversee product governance, investment management risk, and portfolio liquidity considerations.
• Lead the identification and assessment of regulatory change and support the effective execution of required change.
• Ensure appropriate oversight of key transformation and business change programmes.
• Act as the primary senior contact for the regulator and manage the regulatory relationship.
• Oversee relationships with key external parties, including depositary/custodian, fund administrators, transfer agents, and external auditors.
• Maintain effective collaboration with Group Risk & Compliance and Internal Audit functions.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a multi‑disciplinary Risk and Compliance function.
• Build a high‑performing team capable of operating at pace in a complex regulatory environment.
• Translate regulatory and risk requirements into proportionate, practical solutions for the business.

Key Performance Indicators

• Delivery of assurance, monitoring plans, and high‑quality second line opinions.
• Clear, timely, and effective reporting to Executive and Board forums.
• Positive feedback from Executive and Board members on strategic contribution.
• Robust policies, procedures, systems, and controls meeting regulatory and governance standards.
• Accurate and timely regulatory and statutory reporting.
• Effective leadership of committee governance and external relationships.

Experience & Qualifications

• Significant executive‑level experience in Risk and Compliance within an investment management or wealth environment (ACD experience strongly preferred).
• Deep knowledge of the UK regulatory framework, including UCITS funds.
• Strong understanding of investment principles, derivatives, portfolio liquidity, and associated risk measures.
• Experience of prudential and capital requirements affecting investment firms.
• In‑depth knowledge of Consumer Duty, value assessment, and sustainable investment requirements.
• Previous responsibility for managing regulator and depositary relationships.
• Experience operating or overseeing an investment platform (directly or via outsourced models).
• Proven leadership of enterprise‑wide risk management frameworks and multi‑disciplinary teams.

Skills & Personal Attributes

• Confident, credible, and influential communicator at Executive and Board level.
• Strong judgement and ability to operate independently while partnering constructively with the business.
• Comfortable working in fast‑paced, ambiguous, and change‑driven environments.
• Highly organised, delivery‑focused, and commercially aware.
• Skilled at navigating and leading challenging conversations with organisation‑wide impact.
• Experience operating in, or alongside, a Private Equity‑backed environment is advantageous.