Head of Risk and Compliance

I’m supporting a fast-growing UK general insurer in the appointment of a Head of Risk & Compliance to play a critical role in shaping and strengthening its second-line function during an exciting phase of growth.

The business has a long-standing heritage in legal expenses and commercial liability insurance, working closely with SME clients, and has expanded its offering to the wider market in recent years through Coverholder partnerships. With ambitious plans to grow both GWP and product capability, this is a pivotal hire for the organisation.

This role offers genuine visibility and influence, providing independent oversight, constructive challenge, and clear assurance to the Board and senior leadership, while enabling sustainable and profitable growth.

The Role

As Head of Risk & Compliance, you will lead the enterprise risk management and compliance frameworks, ensuring the business operates within risk appetite and meets all PRA and FCA requirements. Operating as a true second-line function, you will balance regulatory rigour with commercial pragmatism and act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders.

You will have responsibility across risk, compliance, governance and regulatory engagement, with a remit spanning underwriting, finance, claims, operations, IT, outsourcing and reinsurance.

Enterprise Risk Management

• Own and maintain the enterprise risk management framework and risk appetite, including KRIs and tolerances
• Lead risk identification, assessment and reporting across the business
• Produce clear, high-quality risk reporting for the Executive, Board and Committees, including emerging risks
• Oversee the ORSA process, coordinating inputs and ensuring robust challenge and regulatory-compliant outputs
• Provide independent challenge to underwriting strategy, new products, reinsurance and material change initiatives
• Support stress and scenario testing and capital risk assessment alongside Finance and Actuarial teams

Compliance & Regulatory Affairs

• Design and oversee a proportionate compliance monitoring programme
• Act as the primary point of contact for the PRA and FCA, including submissions, notifications and supervisory engagement
• Advise on regulatory change and support implementation across the business
• Oversee policies, procedures, breaches, incidents and remediation activity
• Provide oversight of Consumer Duty, including outcomes testing and Board reporting

Governance & Assurance

• Deliver concise, decision-focused reporting to the Board and Committees
• Support reviews of governance effectiveness and the control environment
• Coordinate with Internal Audit and oversee responses to findings
• Support regulatory attestations and senior management sign-off

Leadership & Culture

• Lead and develop the Risk & Compliance function, ensuring appropriate capability and resourcing
• Promote a strong risk culture and accountability across the business
• Act as an independent, credible and pragmatic advisor to senior leaders

YOU?

• Significant senior experience in risk and/or compliance within UK general insurance
• Strong working knowledge of PRA and FCA regulation, Solvency and governance requirements
• Proven experience engaging with Boards, Committees and regulators
• Ability to balance commercial objectives with regulatory expectations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Clear, confident communicator able to influence at senior level
• Able to translate complex regulatory and risk concepts into practical business advice
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Pragmatic, solutions-focused and commercially aware

Qualifications

• Professional risk or insurance qualifications (e.g. IRM, CII) are advantageous
• Degree in a relevant discipline preferred

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INDMANS

Portfolio Payroll Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.