Chief Risk Officer (SMF4)
Location: London
Sector: Wealth & Asset Management
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Function: Executive Committee
Type: Permanent, Full-time
Our client is a fast-growing UK wealth management group, backed by institutional investors and recognised for its exceptional client service, regional presence, and acquisition-led growth strategy. As the business continues to scale, it seeks to appoint a Chief Risk Officer (SMF4) to join the Executive Committee and lead the Group’s Risk and Compliance functions.
This newly defined leadership role will be central to shaping the firm’s governance, regulatory, and risk culture—ensuring that growth is underpinned by best-in-class risk management and robust compliance oversight.
Role Purpose The Chief Risk Officer will lead the design and delivery of the Group’s enterprise risk management framework, ensuring that risk, compliance, and financial crime controls are effectively embedded across the organisation. Acting as a key strategic advisor to the CEO and Board, the CRO will provide proactive insight and challenge, enabling the business to pursue its commercial ambitions within a disciplined and well-managed risk environment.
The role will also play a critical part in supporting the integration of newly acquired businesses, embedding a consistent risk framework across the Group.
Key Responsibilities Leadership & Strategy
- Serve as a member of the Executive Committee, providing strategic counsel to the CEO and Board.
- Define and implement the Group’s risk strategy, ensuring alignment with commercial priorities and risk appetite.
- Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing Risk and Compliance team, including the Head of Compliance and Senior Risk Manager.
- Promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and risk awareness throughout the organisation.
- Partner with senior executives to develop and deliver regular risk and compliance board reporting.
- Establish and maintain a comprehensive risk management framework encompassing operational, regulatory, conduct, and financial risks.
- Oversee the Group’s risk appetite framework, policies, and control self-assessment processes.
- Act as the primary liaison with regulatory bodies on risk-related matters.
- Develop and maintain risk registers and management information for Boards and Committees.
- Support the ICARA process, ensuring risk identification and quantification are robust and effective.
- Embed risk management into business decision-making and ensure timely escalation of material risks.
- Provide oversight of the compliance function, ensuring adherence to all FCA regulatory requirements.
- Oversee the development of compliance and financial crime policies, ensuring they are well understood and consistently applied across the business.
- Monitor regulatory developments and lead the implementation of relevant changes.
- Oversee the incident and breach management process, ensuring appropriate reporting and remediation.
- Hold Senior Management Function 4 (SMF4) responsibility under the FCA’s SM&CR regime.
- Ensure effective systems and controls are in place across all areas of responsibility.
- Promote a culture of individual accountability and ethical conduct aligned with the firm’s values and regulatory obligations.
- Extensive experience in a senior risk and/or compliance leadership role within a regulated wealth or asset management business.
- Strong understanding of the FCA Handbook, including CASS, ICARA, AML/KYC, and Consumer Duty requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement enterprise risk frameworks.
- Experience engaging with Boards, Committees, and regulatory bodies.
- Strategic thinker with excellent communication and influencing skills.
- Proven leader who can inspire teams and embed a risk-aware, collaborative culture.
