Head of Compliance and Deputy MLRO

THE COMPANY:

Our client is a dynamic retail FX brokerage firm, seeking a Head of Compliance and Deputy MLRO to hold overall responsibility for identifying, monitoring, and managing key regulatory risks.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Governance & Leadership: Serve as an active member of the Risk Committee and Management Committee.
• Strategic Compliance Planning: Design, implement, and maintain a compliance strategy that aligns with regulatory expectations and supports the firm's strategic objectives.
• Regulatory Liaison & Horizon Scanning: Maintain positive relationships with regulatory bodies
• Control Framework & Risk Management: Monitor, assess, and continuously improve non-financial regulatory compliance systems and controls.
• Identify operational and regulatory risks, implementing prompt remediation plans as needed
• MLRO Support & Client Onboarding: Act as Deputy MLRO and the primary escalation point for AML, Know Your Customer (KYC), and account opening queries.
• Streamline client onboarding to balance commercial efficiency with strict regulatory standards.
• Advisory & Specialist Oversight: Review and approve Financial Promotions, oversee end-to-end complaint handling processes, and provide expert guidance on consumer protection and market conduct requirements.
• Reporting & Metrics: Prepare, analyse, and present key compliance and risk metrics to governance committees and global executive leadership.
• Culture & Training: Promote a proactive compliance culture across the organization by delivering regular, high-impact training on AML, regulatory standards, internal policies, and ethics.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Industry & Product Expertise: Proven track record in a senior compliance leadership role within financial services, specifically covering retail FX and over-the-counter (OTC) leveraged derivatives (CFDs).
• Regulatory Expertise: Deep operational knowledge of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) handbook, UK/EU financial regulations, and AML/CTF frameworks.
• Education & Credentials: Bachelor's degree required (Business, Law, or Finance preferred); relevant professional designations ("e.g., ICA, CISI") are highly regarded.
• Pragmatic Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex issues with a balanced, business-oriented approach - enabling the firm to manage risk effectively while realizing commercial opportunities.

For further information please contact Natalie Eshelby