Interim Head of Risk & Compliance - Financial Advice Network

We are seeking an experienced Interim Head of Risk & Compliance to lead the risk and compliance function for a UK financial advice network.

The role will have a strong focus on regulatory compliance, risk management and oversight of the network's Appointed Representatives (ARs). The successful candidate will provide senior-level advice and challenge, assess the effectiveness of the current risk and compliance framework, and ensure the network meets its regulatory and conduct obligations.

Direct experience of Appointed Representatives within a financial advice network is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the network's risk and compliance framework, ensuring it is effective, proportionate and risk-based.
• Provide oversight and challenge across the network and its Appointed Representatives.
• Review and strengthen AR onboarding, due diligence, risk assessment, supervision and ongoing monitoring.
• Oversee compliance monitoring and identify regulatory, conduct and customer-outcome risks.
• Ensure appropriate management of breaches, incidents, complaints, risks and remediation activity.
• Provide guidance on FCA requirements, Consumer Duty, suitability and conduct risk.
• Maintain effective risk registers, compliance plans, MI and governance reporting.
• Identify emerging risks and provide clear recommendations to senior management and the Board.
• Work closely with senior stakeholders, AR principals and advisers to embed a strong culture of compliance and risk management.
• Support regulatory change, FCA interactions and any remediation or improvement programmes.
• Ensure issues are appropriately escalated, investigated and resolved.

The successful candidate must have:

• Significant senior experience in UK financial services.
• Direct and demonstrable experience of Appointed Representatives (ARs) — this is essential.
• Previous experience within a financial advice network or similar regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of the FCA regulatory framework and financial advice sector.
• Experience leading or managing risk and compliance functions.
• Strong understanding of AR oversight, compliance monitoring and regulatory risk.
• Experience with Consumer Duty, conduct risk and customer outcomes.
• Experience reporting to senior management, executives and/or Board-level committees.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to provide robust challenge.