If you are interested in this candidate, please contact Andrew Wilson via email awilson@cerfinancial.co.uk or call on 0207 626 6065.

00359099

PROFILE

Senior Internal Audit and Risk leader with over 20 years’ financial services experience across the second and third lines of defence, including recent leadership of the Internal Audit function for a BaFin-regulated bank. Board-trusted advisor with strong regulatory engagement, deep expertise in conduct, operational and regulatory risk, and a long track record of delivering high-quality assurance across complex retail banking environments.

SKILLS

• Leadership of BaFin-regulated Internal Audit function
• Board, regulator & senior executive engagement
• Conduct, regulatory & operational risk expertise (including Consumer Duty, FCA Skilled Person reviews and financial advice)
• Audit methodology modernisation & quality uplift
• Data-driven auditing and assurance & analytics adoption
• Leadership of large audit portfolios and teams
• Risk management, controls and assurance expertise
• People leader with a focus on development and high-performance.

CAREER HISTORY

March 2025 – Present

Banking

Head of Internal Statutory Audit

• Lead the Independent Statutory Audit function and the annual audit plan covering all financial and non-financial risks across a BaFin regulated subsidiary of a banking group (mortgages, savings, motor finance, personal loans, payments and corporate lending – €27bn balance sheet).
• Redeveloped the audit methodology and working practices, driving increased productivity and quality, including responsibility for implementation of third party provided audit software.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships at executive level and BaFin, with active participation at key committees and overall accountability to the Supervisory Board and Risk & Audit Committee.
• Play a critical role in advising executives and the Board in preparing the bank for ECB Supervision.

January 2011 – Present

Banking and Financial Services

March 2023 – Present

Head of Audit – Consumer Lending

Accountability and responsibility for developing and executing the Group Audit plan for the Consumer Lending business. Key areas of coverage include mortgages, mortgage broker network (Appointed Representatives), credit cards, motor finance and unsecured lending product areas.

• Deliver the ongoing Group Audit oversight of the four pillars of Consumer Duty across the Ring-Fenced Bank, covering Consumer and Business Banking. Significant value added to how the business should approach demonstrating compliance, including the content of the first annual Board report.
• Build and maintain stakeholder relationships at executive level within the Consumer business, delivering challenge over the Group’s progress with its long-term strategy, through ongoing engagement and attendance at key executive committees.
• Deliver a large portfolio of integrated audits (including technology, TPRM, change, data, behavioural risk and credit risk coverage) utilising agile principles whilst operating in accordance with Group Audit methodology, receiving consistently strong QA results.
• Champion the use of complex data analytics testing techniques, resulting in significant increase in utilisation (over 80% of audits using advanced analytics).

April 2019 – March 2023

Head of Audit – Retail Bank

Accountability and responsibility for developing and executing the Group Audit plan over the Group’s largest operational areas, with a significant focus on Conduct and Regulatory risk. Key areas of responsibility included complaints, rectifications, fraud & disputes, telephony centres, and Customers in Financial Difficulty.

Other areas of responsibility whilst in role included managing relationships with the Retail Bank’s Chief Customer Office, Personal Current Accounts and Savings product areas, and Payments.

• Implemented the Group Audit response to strengthening the control framework and quality of outcomes in the handling of Customers in Financial Difficulty and Fraud. Involved significant Board level, regulator and external consultancy engagement to respond to S166 Reviews.
• Delivered the Group Audit response to the Covid pandemic across the Retail bank, including assessment of the heightened risk posed by remote working; increased demand for telephony-based customer service areas; and provision of mortgage payment holidays to customers.
• Designed and implemented the Group Audit approach to developing and identifying stretch opportunities for our most talented colleagues.

May 2017 – March 2019

Head of Audit – Conduct & Compliance Risk

Responsible for ownership of the Conduct and Regulatory risk assessment across the internal audit universe, focussing on the Retail, Insurance and Wealth business areas. Accountability and responsibility for developing and executing the Group Audit plan over the Group’s key regulatory and non-financial risk areas.

• Provided subject matter expertise to Groupwide audits and managed relationships with executive level second line of defence stakeholders.
• Delivered an extensive portfolio of high-profile audit engagements in response to FCA RMP Actions over the treatment of Customers in Financial Difficulty and PPI, presenting key messages and opinions to the Board and FCA.
• Influenced senior stakeholders to ensure effective risk management practices are embedded into all decision making.

September 2013 – April 2017

Senior Audit Manager – Conduct & Compliance Risk

• Lead multiple complex audit engagements and stakeholder relationships across the Group, including ownership of the extensive portfolio of PPI audits.

January 2011 – August 2013

Manager – Group Conduct & Compliance Risk

• Completion of Group wide assurance reviews; designed and implemented the Conduct Risk Strategy.

August 2008 – December 2010

Banking and Financial Services

Manager – UK Retail Banking Compliance

• Provided proactive regulatory support to the Retail Banking business.

August 2004 – July 2008

Insurance

Compliance Manager

• Responsible for monitoring compliance of the Life Insurance, Pensions & Investments business, including oversight of a nationwide network of financial advisers.

EDUCATION

2006: Chartered Insurance Institute

Certificate in Financial Planning

2001 – 2004: University =

BSc (Hons) Economics & Management Sciences

References Available Upon Request

If you are interested in this candidate, please contact Andrew Wilson via email awilson@cerfinancial.co.uk or call on 0207 626 6065.

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