Head of risk & compliance in Chester

Location: Fleet, Hampshire (Hybrid working available)

Reporting Line: Chief Executive Officer, Regular reporting to the Board and Risk Committee

Status: 1.00 FTE

Role Purpose

The Head of Risk & Compliance is a senior leadership role responsible for establishing, owning, and continuously enhancing the firm's risk management and compliance frameworks. The role provides independent oversight across all risk categories and regulatory obligations, supporting sustainable growth of the SME lending and equity investment portfolio. The position operates as a key second line function and acts as a trusted adviser to the Board, executive team, and investment committees.

Key Responsibilities

• Risk Management
  • Refine, implement, and maintain the firm's enterprise risk management framework, including risk appetite, policies, and governance structures.
  • Own and challenge existing credit risk frameworks covering SME debt and equity investments.
  • Monitor and report portfolio risk, concentration risk, stress testing, scenario analysis, and capital adequacy.
  • Own operational, liquidity, reputational, and strategic risk assessments.
  • Ensure timely and accurate risk reporting to the Board Risk Committee and senior management.
  • Embed a strong risk culture across the organisation through training, communication, and effective challenge.
• Portfolio Management
  • Oversee second line portfolio risk monitoring for both debt and equity: watch lists, triggers, MI dashboards, impairment/provisions, and performance vs. plan.
  • Direct coverage/portfolio intervention process plan (work outs, restructures, external specialists) to minimise losses and maximise outcomes; assure fair customer treatment and regulatory expectations are met.
  • Lead portfolio governance reporting and challenge including credit scoring/grading, Probability of Default (PD) and Loss Given Default (LGD) Exposure at Default (EAD) approaches, stress testing for debt portfolios, and equity valuation/exit risk assessment frameworks.
  • Produce concise, decision useful risk reports for Regional Fund Heads, on impairments, recoveries, and thematic risks.
• Compliance & Regulatory Oversight
  • Own and maintain the firm's compliance framework in line with FCA (or equivalent) regulatory requirements.
  • Hold FCA regulatory approval for Compliance (SMF16) and MLRO (SMF17) duties, maintain policies and monitoring plans, and liaise with regulators and advisers as the main point of contact.
  • Oversee AML, KYC, financial crime, conduct risk, maintain business continuity/disaster recovery oversight and data protection obligations.
  • Own and implement annual compliance monitoring programmes, policies, and controls.
  • Manage all regulatory interaction, including reporting, breaches, remediation plans, and internal compliance audits.
  • Ensure governance arrangements meet regulatory expectations for a regulated SME lender/investor.
• Governance & Leadership
  • Chair or contribute to Management and Board Risk Committees.
  • Provide clear, practical advice to the Board on risk and regulatory matters.
  • Be the contact point for Investors ensuring contract and reporting obligations reflect robust risk practice.
  • Support new fund/product development and strategic initiatives from a risk and compliance perspective.
  • Build, lead, and develop a high performing Risk team.
  • Embed risk culture promoting proportional analysis and strong documentation; coach regional/sector heads and investment managers.
  • Partner closely with the Finance team.

Key Relationships

• CEO and FD
• Regional Fund Heads
• Investment Committee / Credit Committee
• Board Risk Committee and Chair of BRC
• Regulators and external advisers
• External compliance consultants and professionals (e.g solicitors & Insolvency practitioners)

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Significant senior experience in risk management and compliance within financial services, with eligibility to hold a Senior Manager Function (SMF).
• Strong background in SME lending, credit risk, or investment environments.
• Demonstrable experience working in regulated firms (FCA or similar).
• Experience presenting to Boards and senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a small, fast growing organisation.

Technical Knowledge

• Credit risk frameworks and portfolio management
• Regulatory compliance and governance
• AML / KYC and financial crime controls
• Risk appetite setting and stress testing
• Regulatory handbook, reporting and compliance monitoring

Qualifications (Desirable)

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. ICA, FRM, PRM, ACA, CFA or equivalent).

Personal Attributes

• Commercially minded with strong judgement
• Confident communicator with gravitas at Board level
• Pragmatic, solutions oriented approach to risk
• High integrity and independence of thought
• Comfortable balancing control with growth objectives

KPIs & success measures

• Building on the existing robust measures for the strategy of FSE updating for risk assessment advances in the wider market.
• Improving efficiency of processes utilising technology, including AI, to provide robust systems delivered at higher volumes.
• Portfolio performance vs. Risk Appetite (defaults/impairments, equity write downs, recovery rates).
• Committee throughput and decision quality (time to sanction, exceptions trend, post decision outcomes).
• Operational/compliance health (policy adherence, monitoring findings closed on time, BC/DR readiness).
• Stakeholder confidence (Board, funders, auditors) reflected in fewer surprises and clearer forward risk views.