Chief Risk Officer

Alexander Barnesis leading an executive search for aChief Risk Officerfor a high-growth fintech transforming small business credit and payments.

The CRO will lead the development and execution of the company’s risk strategy, overseeing credit risk analytics, fraud, compliance, and the broader risk management framework.

Reporting directly to the CEO and engaging regularly with the Board and regulatory bodies, this role is pivotal to ensuring robust governance and aligning risk processes with business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Credit Risk Leadership:Manage creditworthiness assessments, develop and optimise scorecards, and implement advanced credit risk models.
• Risk Appetite and Frameworks:Define and maintain the company’s risk appetite, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives and regulatory expectations.
• Fraud and Compliance:Drive fraud prevention initiatives and oversee compliance with all regulatory requirements, maintaining a proactive approach to risk.
• Regulatory and Board Reporting:Prepare and present reports to the Board, risk committees, and regulators, ensuring transparency and effective oversight.
• Policy Development:Establish policies and procedures to guide risk management across the business.
• Product and Risk Integration:Collaborate with product and data science teams to integrate risk considerations into product development and distribution strategies.
• Leadership and Governance:Build and mentor high-performing teams across Credit, Compliance, Data Science, and Fraud functions, fostering a strong risk culture.
• Strategic Problem Solving:Act as a trusted advisor to the leadership team, addressing complex challenges with sound judgement and a fintech-forward approach.

Experience and Qualifications

• Senior Leadership Experience:Proven track record in a senior risk leadership role, ideally within a regulated financial services or fintech environment.
• Technical Expertise:In-depth experience in credit risk analytics, scorecard development, creditworthiness decisioning, and fraud prevention.
• Regulatory Understanding:Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements, including FCA guidelines and international frameworks relevant to credit and payments businesses.
• Strategic Vision:Ability to define and implement risk strategies that support both governance and growth objectives.
• Effective Communication:Skilled in engaging with Boards, regulators, and cross-functional teams to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Fintech Mindset:Agile, data-driven, and comfortable operating in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Leadership Skills:A collaborative leader who fosters a strong risk culture while building and managing high-performing teams.