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.