Location – London Full-time  

The Opportunity

We are exclusively mandated with a London based Bank that is well established in the UK.  They offer private banking, trade finance, treasury, and structured property finance services to corporate and individual clients.  

The Role

The Interim Head of Human Resources will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Deputy CEO. The role will further shape the people strategy, overseeing all aspects of HR, talent, culture, and organisational development. The role has 2 direct reports and will impact on strategic decision making but also have a breadth of remit and suit a hands-on approach.  

Key Responsibilities

• In conjunction with the various departments, to develop and implement the HR Strategy which supports the business objectives and meets the requirements of the SMR and Certified Professional Regime.
• Advise the CFO and Executive Committee on leadership, culture, brand, people engagement and development.
• To research external sources which benchmark People Management practices and HR.
• To provide an operational HR service working closely with the CFO and Senior Management to support the Bank in all aspect of Human Resources Management and engagement.
• To oversee the HR employee lifecycle including job profiling, recruitment, employment, performance, development, compensation, benefits.

 

Candidate Profile

• Able to demonstrate the skills and experience of a HR generalist and a broad knowledge on all HR matters with HR experience in the banking sector.
• Qualified to at least MCIPD or an equivalent law degree, minimum of 7 years previous HR experience, with a minimum of 2 years at senior level e.g. minimum HR Business Partner standard.
• To be able to demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of current employment legislation.
• Have excellent organisational understanding, relationship and management skills
• To be able to think strategically, provide thought leadership on HR, organisation and people development.
• Have the ability to influence, and understand that delivery is key.

  Note: The bank has a policy of 5 days a week in the London Head Office.    

Location: London Sector: Banking / Financial Services Compensation: Competitive executive package and benefits

 

The Opportunity

Sayer Haworth has been retained on a confidential basis by a well-established and purpose-led UK bank seeking to appoint a Chief Risk Officer to lead its Risk and Compliance function. This is a rare opportunity to join a highly respected specialist bank with a strong ethical foundation, loyal customer base, and clear strategic growth ambitions. The organisation operates within a relationship-driven banking model focused on delivering fair customer outcomes and supporting sectors that generate positive social impact across the UK. The Chief Risk Officer will hold responsibility for enterprise-wide risk oversight across all business lines and will lead the Bank’s second line Risk and Compliance function. The role will also hold regulatory approval for SMF4 (Chief Risk) and SMF16 (Compliance Oversight), with oversight of the MLRO (SMF17) function. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the successful candidate will play a critical leadership role in shaping the Bank’s risk culture, governance framework, regulatory engagement, and strategic development.

 

The Role

The Chief Risk Officer will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Bank’s risk and compliance framework, including credit, operational, prudential, regulatory, conduct, and reputational risk. The role requires a commercially aware and collaborative executive capable of balancing robust governance and regulatory oversight with the practical needs of a growing specialist bank. Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing the Bank’s Risk and Compliance function in line with Board risk appetite and regulatory expectations
• Acting as the approved SMF4 and SMF16 holder with oversight of the MLRO (SMF17) function
• Providing independent challenge and oversight across credit, operational, prudential, conduct, and compliance risk
• Maintaining open and constructive engagement with the PRA and FCA
• Advising the Board and Executive Committee on emerging risk issues, regulatory developments, and strategic risk considerations
• Supporting the continued enhancement of enterprise risk management frameworks, policies, controls, and governance arrangements
• Overseeing ICAAP, ILAAP, Recovery Planning, operational resilience, and wider prudential risk management frameworks
• Embedding a strong and proportionate risk culture across the organisation
• Enhancing credit risk capabilities including portfolio oversight, risk-based pricing, and early warning indicators
• Supporting the business in balancing sustainable growth with prudent risk management
• Ensuring effective oversight of Consumer Duty, data protection, operational resilience, and compliance obligations
• Producing high-quality Board and Committee reporting across risk and compliance matters

The successful individual will work closely with the Executive Committee and Board Committees and will be a key contributor to the ongoing strategic development of the Bank.

 

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is likely to bring:

• Significant senior risk leadership experience within UK banking or regulated financial services
• Previous experience holding SMF4 and/or SMF16 responsibilities
• Strong understanding of UK prudential regulation, governance, SMCR, and enterprise risk management
• Deep expertise across credit risk, operational risk, compliance, conduct risk, and prudential frameworks
• Experience engaging directly with the PRA and FCA
• Proven ability to develop and evolve risk management frameworks within regulated banking environments
• Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills at Board and Executive level
• Experience within SME, commercial, or specialist lending environments
• Detailed understanding of secured lending and portfolio risk management
• Strong leadership capability with experience managing and developing second-line teams

Experience within specialist banking sectors such as social housing, not-for-profit, healthcare, education, or values-led banking environments would be advantageous.

 

The Opportunity

This appointment offers the opportunity to join a highly respected and values-driven banking institution with a strong market reputation, clear social purpose, and long-term strategic growth ambitions. The role provides significant Board exposure and the opportunity to shape the future risk and governance framework of a growing UK bank operating within a highly collaborative and customer-focused environment.  

Location: London Sector: Banking / Financial Services / Fintech

 

The Opportunity

Sayer Haworth has been retained on a confidential basis by a fast-growing UK specialist bank seeking to appoint an Independent Non-Executive Director to join its Board during an important phase of strategic growth and development. This is an opportunity to join a well-capitalised and entrepreneurial banking platform that has successfully completed its early-stage build and is now focused on scaling profitability, enhancing its product capability, and delivering long-term shareholder value. The Bank has recently strengthened both its Board and Executive leadership teams and is entering its next phase of growth with ambitions to broaden its product suite, scale operational capability, and continue building a differentiated proposition within the UK SME and specialist lending market. The Board is seeking an experienced executive or existing Non-Executive Director with deep operational and/or technology leadership expertise, ideally gained within a regulated or high-growth environment.

 

The Role

The Independent Non-Executive Director will provide independent oversight, constructive challenge, and strategic support to the Chair, Board, and Executive leadership team. The role will focus particularly on operational scalability, technology enablement, governance, and the successful growth of a regulated business operating within a dynamic and evolving market environment. The successful candidate will contribute to Board discussions across strategy, operational effectiveness, customer outcomes, risk management, governance, and organisational scaling. Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing informed and independent challenge across strategic and operational matters
• Supporting the Board and Executive team in scaling the business in a sustainable and well-governed manner
• Contributing expertise in operational transformation, technology, digital infrastructure, and business scalability
• Challenging and supporting the development of the Bank’s operating model and long-term strategy
• Bringing insight into the optimisation of emerging technologies, including AI and digital enablement
• Monitoring Executive performance against strategic objectives and business plans
• Supporting robust governance, risk management, and financial control frameworks
• Ensuring strong customer outcomes and alignment with Consumer Duty expectations
• Reviewing external opportunities, threats, and emerging market developments impacting the Bank
• Acting as an ambassador for the organisation and helping connect the Bank with relevant external networks and relationships
• Participating in relevant Board Committees including Risk, Audit, Nomination, and Remuneration Committees as appropriate

The appointment will be classified as a Notified Non-Executive Director under the Senior Managers & Certification Regime.

 

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is likely to bring:

• Significant executive leadership experience within Operations, Technology, Digital Transformation, or Infrastructure
• Experience operating within a regulated or highly governed environment
• Proven track record of scaling businesses through periods of growth and organisational change
• Strong understanding of governance, risk management, and Board oversight responsibilities
• Commercially minded and strategically focused approach
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement capability
• Ability to provide constructive challenge whilst maintaining a collaborative and supportive Board style
• High levels of integrity, judgement, and personal credibility

Previous Non-Executive Director experience would be advantageous, although the Board is also open to considering a high-calibre first-time Non-Executive Director with the appropriate executive background and leadership capability. Experience within banking, fintech, digital lending, specialist finance, payments, or technology-enabled financial services environments would be particularly attractive.

Time Commitment

The role will involve attendance at approximately 6–8 Board meetings per annum, together with Committee meetings and associated preparation time. Meetings are held primarily in person in London.

 

The Opportunity

This appointment offers the opportunity to join the Board of a growing and ambitious specialist bank at a pivotal stage of its evolution. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the future strategic direction, operational scaling, and governance development of a regulated banking platform with strong shareholder support and long-term growth ambitions.  

Location: London Sector: Banking / Financial Services

 

The Opportunity

Sayer Haworth has been retained on a confidential basis by a highly regarded UK-regulated specialist bank seeking to appoint an Independent Non-Executive Director to serve as Chair of the Audit Committee and approved SMF11 holder. This is an opportunity to join the Board of a well-established and strategically positioned financial institution operating within a specialist and internationally connected banking model. The organisation has a strong reputation within its target markets, a differentiated customer proposition, and a highly experienced Board and Executive leadership team. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the continued development of the Bank’s governance, financial oversight, audit, and regulatory framework while providing constructive challenge and independent judgement at Board level. The appointment follows the planned rotation of an existing Independent Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Chair.

 

The Role

The Independent Non-Executive Director will join the Boards of both the Bank and its holding company and will chair the Audit Committee whilst also sitting on a number of key Board Committees. The role carries responsibility for oversight of financial reporting integrity, internal audit independence, compliance oversight, whistleblowing governance, and the effectiveness of internal controls and risk management arrangements. The successful individual will work closely with the Chair, CEO, CFO, CRO, regulators, auditors, and fellow Non-Executive Directors to support the continued safe and effective operation of the Bank. Key responsibilities will include:

• Chairing the Board Audit Committee and setting the Committee agenda
• Providing independent challenge and oversight across financial reporting, audit, governance, and internal controls
• Safeguarding the independence and effectiveness of the Internal Audit function in accordance with UK regulatory expectations
• Overseeing the effectiveness and independence of the Compliance function
• Supporting the Board in maintaining a strong governance and risk management framework
• Acting as Whistleblowing Champion and overseeing the effectiveness of whistleblowing arrangements
• Reviewing the integrity of financial information, balance sheet management, and associated control frameworks
• Contributing to Board discussions relating to strategy, capital, liquidity, risk appetite, and regulatory developments
• Supporting strong engagement with the PRA and FCA
• Participating in Board Risk, Board Credit, and Nomination & Remuneration Committees
• Providing constructive challenge to Executive Management whilst supporting the long-term strategic development of the organisation

The role requires an individual capable of balancing strong governance oversight with a collaborative and commercially aware approach.

 

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is likely to bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within banking, financial services, professional services, or a regulated financial institution
• Previous experience as a Chief Financial Officer, Audit Partner, or senior financial services executive
• Strong understanding of UK banking regulation, governance, audit, and risk frameworks
• Deep knowledge of UK credit markets, structured finance, treasury, and balance sheet management
• Experience interacting with regulators and operating within regulated Board environments
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management capability with a collaborative and low-ego leadership style
• Ability to provide robust independent challenge and strategic oversight at Board level
• High levels of integrity, judgement, and personal credibility

The following experience would be viewed favourably:

• Previous Non-Executive Director experience within financial services
• Prior experience as Chair of Audit Committee or Deputy Audit Chair
• ICAAP, prudential regulation, or capital management expertise
• Experience leading internal or external audit tender processes
• International or cross-border financial services experience
• IPO, capital raising, or business sale transaction experience

 

Time Commitment

The role involves attendance at quarterly Board meetings alongside Committee meetings and associated preparation time.

The Opportunity

This appointment offers the opportunity to join the Board of a highly respected specialist bank operating within a unique and differentiated market position. The successful candidate will contribute to the strategic oversight, governance, and long-term development of a growing institution with strong shareholder backing, international connectivity, and a clear long-term vision.  

Location: UK Sector: Banking / Financial Services / Structured Finance Compensation: Competitive executive package and benefits

 

The Opportunity

Sayer Haworth has been retained on a confidential basis by a leading UK financial services organisation seeking to appoint a Head of Treasury to lead its Treasury and Structured Finance function. This is a strategically significant leadership role within a large and sophisticated funding platform operating at substantial scale across the UK market. The organisation has ambitious growth plans and is continuing to evolve its funding, liquidity, securitisation, and retail savings capabilities within a highly regulated environment. The successful candidate will take ownership of the organisation’s funding, liquidity risk, and interest rate risk management strategies whilst leading a high-performing Treasury and Structured Finance team. The role combines deep technical treasury expertise with strategic leadership, external stakeholder management, and significant commercial influence across the wider organisation. This appointment offers exposure to large-scale structured finance programmes, securitisation issuance, retail savings growth, and complex treasury transformation initiatives.

 

The Role

Reporting into senior Finance leadership, the Head of Treasury will lead the development and execution of the organisation’s treasury strategy across funding, liquidity management, hedging, interest rate risk management, and structured finance activities. The role will involve extensive engagement with investors, rating agencies, regulators, banking counterparties, auditors, and internal Executive stakeholders whilst supporting the organisation’s long-term funding and growth objectives. Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and executing the strategic direction for the Treasury & Structured Finance function
• Leading funding, liquidity risk, and interest rate risk management strategies aligned to organisational risk appetite
• Managing daily treasury operations, liquidity planning, and refinancing activities
• Leading and overseeing large-scale structured finance and ABS funding programmes
• Managing investor, rating agency, regulatory, banking, and audit relationships
• Leading discussions within liquidity, funding, and risk governance committees
• Providing strategic oversight of hedging strategies, ALM management, and cost of funds
• Supporting the ongoing development of retail savings and deposit funding capabilities
• Overseeing liquidity stress testing, contingency funding planning, and ILAAP-related activities
• Driving treasury-related innovation, including the integration of emerging technologies and new funding structures
• Partnering with Product, Legal, Compliance, Finance, and Commercial teams on new initiatives and product development
• Leading, mentoring, and developing the Treasury & Structured Finance team
• Supporting wider financial strategy, growth initiatives, and transformation programmes

The role will also involve acting as a senior advisor across treasury, structured finance, liquidity, and funding matters throughout the organisation.

 

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is likely to bring:

• Significant Treasury leadership experience within banking, financial services, asset finance, or structured finance environments
• Strong expertise across liquidity management, ALM, interest rate risk, funding, and hedging strategies
• Deep experience within structured finance and securitisation programmes
• Experience engaging directly with investors, regulators, rating agencies, banks, and auditors
• Strong understanding of treasury operations within regulated financial services environments
• Demonstrable leadership experience managing and developing high-performing teams
• Strong commercial judgement and strategic thinking capability
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to operate effectively within complex and fast-moving environments

The ideal candidate is likely to hold a professional treasury or accounting qualification such as ACT, ACA, or ACCA. Experience within large-scale funding platforms, auto finance, specialist lending, banking, or securitisation-led businesses would be highly advantageous.

 

The Opportunity

This appointment offers the opportunity to join a highly sophisticated and growth-oriented financial services platform operating at significant scale within the UK market. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping the organisation’s funding strategy, treasury transformation agenda, and long-term liquidity and structured finance capability whilst working closely with senior leadership and external market participants.  

Location: London Sector: Banking / Fintech / Payments Compensation: Significant executive package and long-term incentive opportunity

 

The Opportunity

Sayer Haworth has been retained on a confidential basis by a high-growth international financial services and technology organisation seeking to establish a new UK banking entity focused on serving SME customers through integrated digital banking, payments, deposits, and lending solutions. The organisation is currently progressing plans for a UK banking licence application and is seeking to appoint a Chief Executive Officer to lead the establishment, authorisation, mobilisation, and long-term growth of the business. This is a rare opportunity to build and scale a digitally enabled bank from inception, shaping the strategic direction, regulatory framework, operating model, and leadership team of a significant new entrant into the UK banking market.

 

The Role

The Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for leading the end-to-end setup of the UK banking entity, including regulatory engagement, operational readiness, governance implementation, and commercial execution. Working closely with shareholders, the Board, regulators, and senior stakeholders, the successful candidate will lead the organisation through the banking licence application process before overseeing the mobilisation and scaling of the business. Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the UK banking licence application process and acting as the primary executive contact with the PRA, FCA, and Bank of England
• Defining and executing the strategic vision, operating model, and long-term growth strategy for the UK banking entity
• Building and developing the executive leadership team and broader organisational structure
• Establishing robust governance, risk, compliance, operational resilience, and financial crime frameworks
• Overseeing the development of technology, operational, and customer infrastructure
• Driving commercial growth across SME banking, payments, deposits, and lending propositions
• Ensuring the organisation operates in full compliance with UK regulatory expectations and industry best practice
• Building strong relationships with regulators, investors, board members, and external stakeholders
• Leading the business through authorisation, mobilisation, and scale-up phases

 

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is likely to bring:

• Significant executive leadership experience within UK banking, fintech, payments, or broader financial services
• Strong understanding of UK banking regulation, governance, SMCR, and prudential requirements
• Experience engaging directly with the PRA, FCA, and/or Bank of England
• Proven experience building, scaling, or transforming regulated financial services businesses
• Strong commercial and strategic capability, particularly within SME banking, payments, lending, or digital banking
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex regulatory programmes, including authorisation or mobilisation processes
• Strong stakeholder management and board-level communication skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate effectively within a high-growth and evolving environment

Prior experience leading a de novo bank launch, challenger bank, payments institution, or regulated fintech platform would be highly advantageous.

 

The Opportunity

This appointment offers the opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role in building a next-generation UK bank backed by a well-capitalised international organisation with significant technology, payments, and financial services expertise. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the strategic and regulatory direction of the business from inception and lead the development of a highly scalable, digitally native banking platform serving the UK SME market.  

Location – London Full-time  

The Opportunity

We are exclusively mandated with a London based Bank that is well established in the UK.  They offer private banking, trade finance, treasury, and structured property finance services to corporate and individual clients.  

The Role

The Head of Human Resources will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Deputy CEO. The role will further shape the people strategy, overseeing all aspects of HR, talent, culture, and organisational development. The role has 2 direct reports and will impact on strategic decision making but also have a breadth of remit and suit a hands-on approach.  

Key Responsibilities

• In conjunction with the various departments, to develop and implement the HR Strategy which supports the business objectives and meets the requirements of the SMR and Certified Professional Regime.
• Advise the CFO and Executive Committee on leadership, culture, brand, people engagement and development.
• To research external sources which benchmark People Management practices and HR.
• To provide an operational HR service working closely with the CFO and Senior Management to support the Bank in all aspect of Human Resources Management and engagement.
• To oversee the HR employee lifecycle including job profiling, recruitment, employment, performance, development, compensation, benefits.

 

Candidate Profile

• Able to demonstrate the skills and experience of a HR generalist and a broad knowledge on all HR matters with HR experience in the banking sector.
• Qualified to at least MCIPD or an equivalent law degree, minimum of 7 years previous HR experience, with a minimum of 2 years at senior level e.g. minimum HR Business Partner standard.
• To be able to demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of current employment legislation.
• Have excellent organisational understanding, relationship and management skills
• To be able to think strategically, provide thought leadership on HR, organisation and people development.
• Have the ability to influence, and understand that delivery is key.

  Note: The bank has a policy of 5 days a week in the London Head Office.