UK Compliance Director in London

Description

River Stone is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Compliance Director to lead the Compliance function for River Stone’s UK insurance activities, comprising the operations of River Stone Insurance (UK) Limited and River Stone’s Lloyd's Managing Agency (collectively, “River Stone UK”).

The Compliance Director is responsible, working in conjunction with River Stone’s Group Compliance function, for maintaining an effective and independent second-line Compliance framework that supports compliance with PRA, FCA and Lloyd's requirements, while enabling the business to achieve its strategic objectives through pragmatic, risk-based regulatory advice and oversight.

The role holder will serve as both the approved SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) and SMF17 (Money Laundering Reporting Officer), with responsibility across the full spectrum of Compliance and financial crime activities, including regulatory risk management, compliance monitoring, regulatory engagement, governance, financial crime oversight, conduct and complaints oversight, and regulatory change management.

These objectives will be delivered through a combination of UK-dedicated and Group functional resources, in accordance with an agreed target operating model.

The role requires an individual capable of operating credibly with UK Boards, Executive Committees, regulators and senior stakeholders, while leading an effective local Compliance team, coordinating with the Group function and maintaining close oversight of key regulatory risks and obligations.

Particular emphasis will be placed on fostering a strong culture of integrity and accountability, positioning Compliance as a trusted business partner, and supporting the business through an evolving operating environment.

The role is intentionally designed as a lean senior leadership position, supported by a small team structure.

As such, the successful candidate must be comfortable operating without reliance on large supporting teams and must be capable of independently driving delivery across both strategic and operational Compliance activities where required.

The successful candidate will be expected to combine

• senior executive presence and Board-level credibility;
• deep knowledge of UK insurance regulation and financial crime requirements;
• experience operating within PRA-, FCA- and Lloyd's-regulated environments;
• strong regulatory judgement and leadership capability; and
• the ability to balance effective challenge with pragmatic commercial support.

Requirements

Essential Experience

The successful candidate will demonstrate substantial experience across the following areas:

• Acting as Head of Compliance, Compliance Director, Chief Compliance Officer or equivalent within a PRA and FCA regulated insurance environment.
• Holding, or being assessed as suitable to hold, SMF16 and SMF17 responsibilities.
• Leading Compliance functions within insurance, reinsurance or Lloyd's market organisations.
• Significant experience designing, implementing and operating Financial Crime frameworks and MLRO responsibilities.
• Managing regulatory relationships with the PRA, FCA and Lloyd's.
• Delivering Board, Executive Committee and governance reporting.
• Operating Compliance Monitoring and Assurance programmes.
• Supporting SMCR governance and Fitness & Propriety processes.
• Providing strategic regulatory advice to senior management and Boards.
• Leading and developing Compliance teams within complex regulated environments and in the context of an overall regulated Group.
• Highly Desirable Experience
• Particular preference will be given to candidates with direct experience:
• Within the Lloyd's market and managing agency environment.
• Supporting insurance acquisitions, portfolio transfers and other strategic transactions.
• Operating within international insurance groups.
• Managing Compliance within a run-off or legacy insurance business.
• Implementing technology-enabled governance, risk and compliance solutions.
• Working within evolving or transformation-led organisations.
• Personal Attributes
• Highly credible with regulators, Boards and senior stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercially aware and pragmatic while maintaining independence and objectivity.
• Excellent judgement and risk-based decision-making capability.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to distil complex regulatory requirements into practical business actions.
• Collaborative and relationship-focused leadership style.
• Resilient, adaptable and effective within evolving and dynamic business environments.
• Committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and conduct.