Chief Operating Officer

Aim And Purpose Of The Role: The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for shaping, leading, and executing the operational strategy of the Walker Crips Group. This includes architecting the future operating model following the strategic migration to Pershing Securities Ltd (PSL), embedding robust oversight of outsourced arrangements, and transforming residual manual processes into a scalable, technology-enabled environment. The COO will ensure operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and a consistently high-quality client experience across all touchpoints. The role requires a leader who respects the firm’s 100-year heritage while having the courage and capability to dismantle inefficient legacy processes, rationalise complexity, and drive automation. The mandate is clear: rationalise, de-risk, and automate.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversight & Governance: Act as primary relationship owner for all key vendors, including PSL. Monitor and challenge Service Level Agreements (SLAs) across custody, nominee, and settlement services. Ensure compliance with FCA outsourcing requirements (SYSC 8), maintaining strong oversight of the retained organisation. Streamline committee structures to improve decision-making and operational governance. Embed client journey metrics, service standards, and Consumer Duty outcomes into governance forums. Provide regular reporting to the CEO and Board on operational performance, risk, and transformation progress.
• Operations: Oversee daily business and administrative operations, ensuring optimal efficiency and control. Identify and eliminate process bottlenecks impacting turnaround times and client satisfaction. Lead the management of residual assets not migrated to PSL (e.g., CTFs, non-transferable holdings). Direct HMRC, tax, and regulatory reporting functions, ensuring accuracy despite manual constraints. Develop long-term strategies for residual assets, including potential sale, specialist migration, or automation. Establish policies that promote company culture, operational discipline, and regulatory compliance.
• Onboarding (First Line of Defence): Take ultimate accountability for AML, KYC, and Client Suitability checks. Implement a rigorous Quality Assurance (QA) framework to ensure front-office submissions meet regulatory standards. Transform the onboarding journey from manual and paper-heavy to digital-first, reducing friction and improving client experience. Ensure onboarding processes support scalability and growth ambitions.
• Investment Operations: Lead the Investment Administration and data integrity teams supporting Investment Managers. Oversee client-facing support teams, ensuring high-touch service supported by modern CRM tools. Rationalise data entry functions, shifting from manual repetition to exception-based monitoring. Ensure operational processes support accurate, timely, and compliant investment operations.
• Strategic Transformation & Change Leadership: Conduct a First 90 Days operational audit to identify misaligned roles, inefficient workflows, and opportunities for redesign. Lead the design and implementation of the future Target Operating Model (TOM). Review technology providers and end-to-end solutions to de-risk, increase efficiency, reduce cost, and industrialise processes. Leverage automation tools (RPA, AI, workflow engines such as AWOL) to eliminate manual hand-offs and reduce key-person dependencies. Drive cultural change, inspiring teams to embrace modernisation, accountability, and continuous improvement. Participate in strategic initiatives including investments, acquisitions, and corporate alliances.

Regulatory Status: This role is designated as a Senior Management Function (SMF24 Chief Operations Function) under the UK Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR) and is therefore a regulated role subject to FCA approval and ongoing regulatory obligations. The successful candidate must have demonstrable experience operating in a regulated senior management capacity within an FCA-authorised firm and be capable of meeting the FCA’s Fit and Proper requirements, including integrity, competence, financial soundness and will be accountable under the Senior Managers Conduct Rules.

Person Specification

• Experience: 10+ years senior leadership experience in Wealth Management or Financial Services Operations. Proven experience operating in a Senior or regulated role within an FCA-authorised firm, with demonstrable accountability under the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR) and familiarity in Statements of Responsibilities, Responsibilities Maps, and regulatory interactions with the FCA. Strong understanding of personal accountability under the Senior Managers Regime, including Conduct Rules, regulatory references, and fitness and propriety requirements. Experience working with Pershing ecosystems (desirable). Proven track record in operational transformation, automation, and organisational redesign. Demonstrable experience managing outsourced relationships and vendor governance. Deep understanding of CASS, Consumer Duty, AML/KYC, Suitability, and broader FCA regulatory frameworks. Strong working knowledge of operational metrics, data analysis, and performance measurement. Familiarity with HR, Finance, IT, and other core business functions. Strong understanding of business infrastructure, CRM systems, and workflow automation technologies.
• Leadership & Behavioural Competencies: Outstanding organisational and leadership abilities. Proven ability to lift and shift functions to optimise organisational design. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and public-speaking skills. Strong decision-making capability and problem-solving aptitude. Ability to motivate, mentor, and inspire teams to deliver high performance. Courage to challenge legacy thinking while respecting the firm’s heritage.
• Qualifications: BSc/BA in Business Administration or relevant field. IOD level 4 (minimum) or higher. MSc/MBA desirable. Relevant regulatory or professional certifications advantageous.