Title: Director - UK Business & Regulatory Affairs

Location: London, United Kingdom.

Role Overview

The Director - UK Business & Regulatory Affairs will play a strategic leadership role in driving international business expansion while ensuring strong regulatory governance and compliance alignment across the UK business. The role will focus on expanding arbitrage fund business across Africa and Europe, managing key institutional and banking relationships, overseeing regulatory and licensing matters, and advising leadership on FCA regulatory requirements and business implications. The individual will work closely with business, compliance, legal, risk, and operational teams to support scalable and compliant business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Operations

- Lead and drive expansion of fund sales across various geographies by identifying new market opportunities and building strategic institutional relationships.

- Develop and strengthen relationships with brokers, dealers, banking institutions, and strategic partners to support business growth and operational continuity.

- Engage with banking institutions to establish prime brokerage arrangements, negotiate commercial terms, and facilitate onboarding processes.

- Track and analyse regulatory developments, emerging risks, and market changes impacting UK and international business operations.

- Support regulatory interactions, audits, inspections, and ongoing compliance reviews with relevant authorities and stakeholders.

- Management of local financial, accounting, and tax affairs in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.

- Preparation, review, and sign-off of financial statements, regulatory submissions, and accounting

documentation.

- Engage and coordinate with relevant global finance teams to ensure alignment on reporting, governance, and operational matters.

- Lead strategic initiatives for expansion into new business lines across international markets.

- Support development and execution of the UK operating model, including technology infrastructure, third-party partnerships, and operational setup.

Regulatory Affairs

- Manage and oversee the end-to-end process for obtaining and maintaining a full banking licence, including regulatory submissions, liaison with authorities, and coordination with legal and compliance stakeholders.

- Act as a trusted advisor to leadership and business teams on FCA regulations, compliance requirements, and regulatory implications of business activities and new initiatives.

- Interpret and provide guidance on FCA Handbook provisions including COBS, SYSC, SMCR, and other applicable regulatory frameworks.

- Support implementation of regulatory changes, governance standards, compliance policies, and internal control frameworks across the business.

- Conduct regulatory and operational gap assessments and recommend remediation measures aligned with FCA expectations and best practices.

- Assist in strengthening compliance frameworks, governance structures, and regulatory readiness across the organization.

Team Management

- Partner closely with risk, legal, compliance, and operational teams to ensure end-to-end regulatory alignment and effective governance.

- Provide leadership and oversight to the local UK team, ensuring effective operational execution, stakeholder management, and alignment with broader organizational objectives.

- Take decisions for strengthening the teams or headcount basis business requirements.

- Make strategic decisions to strengthen teams and optimize headcount in line with evolving business requirements.

Behavioural Skills

- Business Maturity

- Strategic thinking

- Executive Presence

- Accountability & Adaptability

- Team Management

- Cross-functional management skills.