Location: Cheltenham (Hybrid working - 1 day/week in the office)
An ambitious and growing UK financial services firm is seeking an experienced Head of Legal, Compliance & MLRO to lead and develop its legal and regulatory function at a senior level. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this is a high-impact role with responsibility for legal oversight, regulatory compliance and financial crime prevention across the business. The successful candidate will play a critical role in supporting the Board, senior leadership and key committees.
The business is a well-established, FCA-authorised specialist finance provider, supporting UK SMEs through tailored lending solutions funded by a growing investor community. Known for its strong governance, customer‑first approach and deep expertise in secured lending, the firm combines a collaborative, values‑led culture with the pace and ambition of a scale‑up environment.
The Role
This position combines strategic oversight with hands‑on delivery, ensuring the firm operates to the highest legal and regulatory standards while supporting commercial growth and strong customer outcomes.
Legal Responsibilities
* Lead the firm’s legal function, overseeing commercial contracts and maintaining a central contracts database
* Review and maintain investor terms and conditions, borrower loan documentation, security documents and offer letters
* Provide clear, pragmatic legal advice to the Board, senior management and internal committees
* Support loan completions, redemptions and the ongoing legal management of the loan book
* Manage relationships with external legal counsel and professional advisors
* Support onboarding and ongoing oversight of third parties, including law firms, valuers and brokers
* Contribute legal insight to improve internal credit, lending and operational processes
* Support new product development and changes to commercial activities
* Provide legal support to HR matters as required
* Ensure compliance with FCA requirements, wider financial services legislation and GDPR obligations
Compliance & MLRO Responsibilities
* Act as the firm’s primary point of contact for compliance and financial crime prevention
* Develop, implement and maintain a robust compliance framework aligned with UK regulatory requirements and best practice
* Conduct risk assessments, monitor transactions and submit SARs to the NCA where required
* Ensure all regulatory risks, issues and breaches are appropriately investigated, documented and mitigated
* Deliver AML and regulatory training across the business
* Foster a strong culture of compliance aligned with Consumer Duty and positive customer outcomes
* Prepare and present the annual MLRO and Consumer Duty reports to the Board
* Manage relationships with the FCA and external compliance advisors
* Oversee regulatory reporting, FCA returns and notifications within required timelines
* Support the annual CASS audit in collaboration with Finance
* Provide compliance advice to the Credit Committee, Senior Management Team and other governance forums
* Lead ongoing compliance monitoring and ensure records are maintained in line with regulatory and legal requirements
About You
* A senior legal and compliance professional with strong UK financial services experience
* Proven experience operating as an MLRO and holding or being eligible for SMF16 & SMF17
* Confident advising Boards and senior stakeholders in a regulated environment
* Commercially minded, pragmatic and comfortable operating in a fast‑growing business
* Strong communicator with the credibility to influence across the organisation
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