Head of Advice, Supervision and Business Risk and Controls Oversight, Wealth

Role Title: Head of Advice, Supervision and Business Risk and Controls Oversight, Wealth

Location: Flexible

Contract: Permanent

About the Role

This is a FLOD senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the quality, compliance, and effectiveness of investment advice and financial planning advice services delivered to clients, together with oversight on the business risk and controls in the Wealth Business. This role ensures that all advice processes meet regulatory requirements, adhere to best practice standards, and deliver optimal client outcomes whilst managing risk and supporting business growth.  The role would also lead on the cross-border competency and execution of the framework in the client teams.  The role also supports the CEO Wealth to ensure that the business risk agenda is effectively monitored and managed, and the Consumer Duty Framework is embedded.

What you’ll be responsible for

Advice Quality and Supervision

Responsible for input into the ongoing design and the delivery of the advice journey, with a robust advice supervision framework covering both investment advice and financial planning. Work with SLOD to conduct file reviews and quality assurance checks to ensure advice suitability and appropriateness. Provide coaching and feedback to advisers to enhance advice quality and client outcomes. Establish and monitor KPIs for advice quality, client outcomes, and regulatory compliance. Implement remediation plans where advice quality issues are identified.

Regulatory Oversight and Compliance, Business risk and controlsEnsure all investment and financial planning advice complies with FCA regulations, including the Consumer Duty requirements. Maintain oversight of advice processes to ensure adherence to regulatory standards and internal policies. Monitor regulatory developments and implement necessary changes to advice frameworks and processes.

Maintain oversight of and adherence to the relevant RCSAs, working closely with SLOD to ensure controls effectiveness and addressing challenges.

Ensure cover the cross-border competency and adherence to the framework.  This would require engagement with Compliance and Rathbones Investment Management International (Jersey, Guernsey and Ireland).

Oversight of the Consumer Duty Framework and embedding into the Wealth business, including responsibility for Vulnerable Clients approach.

Work with SLOD on the production of regulatory reports and MI relating to advice quality and outcomes for the business to report into the Wealth governance structure.

Team Leadership and Development

Lead and develop the advice supervision team, including supervisors and technical specialists. Create a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence. Identify training needs and develop capability across the adviser population. Support recruitment and assessment of advisers to ensure appropriate competency levels. Manage performance and conduct issues in line with regulatory requirements and company policies.

The teams that would report to this role would be T&C and Supervision for both investment advice and financial planning advice, policy and procedure relating to the Suitable Advice Guide.  There would be matrix leadership of the Supervisory structure in the client teams.  Close working relationships required with Proposition, Operations and Compliance Teams.

Business Strategy and Development

Contribute to the strategic development of advice propositions and service models. Work with business leaders to balance growth objectives with advice quality and risk management. Support the development of new advice services and client segments. Provide insights and recommendations to improve client experience and business efficiency. Collaborate with distribution, operations, and proposition and product teams to enhance end-to-end client journeys.

Risk Management and MI

Maintain oversight of advice-related risks and ensure appropriate controls are in place. Produce management information and insights on advice quality, trends, and emerging risks. Chair or participate in relevant governance forums including advice risk committees. Investigate and resolve complaints or regulatory concerns relating to advice. Maintain oversight of professional indemnity insurance matters relating to advice.

About you

Essential Requirements

Minimum Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning or equivalent professional qualification. Extensive experience in wealth management, with significant expertise in investment advice and financial planning. Proven track record in a supervisory or oversight role within a regulated environment. Deep knowledge of FCA regulations including COBS, MiFID II, and Consumer Duty. Strong understanding of technical advice areas including pensions, investments, tax planning, and estate planning. Experience managing teams and developing technical capability. Excellent analytical skills with ability to interpret complex advice scenarios. Strong communication skills with ability to influence at senior levels.

Desirable Requirements

Chartered Financial Planner or Chartered Wealth Manager status. Experience working with the FCA through regulatory visits or skilled person reviews. Knowledge of wealth management operating models and technology platforms. Experience implementing advice frameworks or supervision methodologies. Understanding of industry best practice through professional bodies such as the PFS or CII.  Wider understanding of the Wealth Planning landscape, including Trusts.

Personal Attributes

Strong leadership presence with ability to command respect across the business. High integrity with commitment to delivering positive client outcomes. Strategic thinker with ability to balance commercial and risk considerations. Resilient and capable of managing multiple priorities in a demanding environment. Collaborative approach with ability to build effective relationships. Detail-oriented with commitment to technical excellence.