Group Governance, Risk & Compliance Director

Bettys and Taylors Group; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-known Yorkshire brand is seeking a Group Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Director to lead their legal, risk, governance, and compliance functions. This role requires 10+ years of PQE, exceptional legal knowledge across FMCG, retail, and catering sectors, and the ability to influence strategic direction. Responsibilities include advising the Co-CEO and Board and ensuring adherence to statutory obligations. A commitment to flexible working with a minimum of 3 days on-site is encouraged, along with comprehensive employee benefits.

Benefits

Free meals, drinks and snacks

Quarterly profit-share bonus

Company-funded counselling

Employee discounts

Access to health cash plan

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• 10+ years' PQE with an established law firm or equivalent company secretarial experience.
• Detailed knowledge of laws relevant to FMCG, retail, and catering sectors.
• In-depth understanding of UK, EU, and international law.

Responsibilities

• Lead Group-wide legal services and compliance teams.
• Advise Co-CEO and Board on governance and compliance matters.
• Horizon scan for emerging legislation and regulations.

Skills

Legal expertise

Risk management

Governance knowledge

Influencing strategy

Relationship building

Leadership

Education

Qualified solicitor in England and Wales

10+ years PQE

Job description

Group Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Director

Location: Harrogate
Department: CEO Office
Reports to: Co-CEO (Purpose & Strategy)

About the Role

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for governance, risk, and compliance?
We are seeking a Group Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Director to lead and integrate our legal, risk, governance, and compliance functions across the Group.
This is a pivotal new role, providing expert counsel to the Co-CEO and Board, driving proactive frameworks, and embedding robust governance practices that protect and enable our long‑term ambitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Group-wide legal services, risk management, governance, and compliance teams.
• Advise the Co-CEO and Board on governance, corporate documents, and through the line management of the Assistant Company Secretary, ensure effective support to Board and committee operations.
• Horizon scan for emerging legislation and regulations, engaging externally to inform best practice and proactive compliance.
• Ensure Group-wide adherence to statutory obligations and internal policy frameworks.
• Through the line management of the Group Head of Risk, oversee the design and embedding of the risk appetite, assurance, and management frameworks across the Group.
• Uphold Group values through ethical frameworks, education, and behavioural standards beyond legal requirements.
• Through the line management of the Group Legal Counsel, provide legal insight on litigation, employment, contracts, IP, international and environmental law to senior leadership.
• Oversee internal compliance policies, training, and awareness to protect the Group and clarify responsibilities.
• Oversee the management of the Group insurance portfolio, ensuring coverage for residual and emerging risks.
• Lead internal audit development, act as Chief Compliance Officer for data protection, chair the IT Security Board, and serve as the independent whistleblowing contact.

Team Structure

• Head of Risk (and associated team)
• Group General Counsel (plus 2 direct reports)
• Company Secretariat (plus 1 direct report)
• Sustainability Manager – Environmental Impact (for environmental compliance matters)

Key Relationships

• Co-CEO and Board (reporting to and collaborating with)
• CEO Office and Group Executive Team (collaborate, inform, and partner)
• External thought leaders in governance, risk, and compliance

About You

• 10+ years' PQE with an established law firm, or equivalent in-house counsel or Company Secretarial experience.
• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales, trained with a reputable commercial firm or in-house legal team.
• Detailed knowledge of laws and regulations relevant to FMCG, retail (including online), and catering sectors.
• In‑depth understanding of UK, EU, and international law.
• Awareness of market forces, politics, and economics as they relate to changing laws and regulations.
• Demonstrable potential to influence strategy at Executive and Board level.
• Exceptional relationship building and influencing ability.
• Experience aligning legal and risk strategies with strategic objectives.
• Proven leadership of cross‑functional teams and large‑scale compliance programmes.
• Track record advising leadership teams and leading governance initiatives.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Emotional intelligence and stakeholder management skills.

This is a demanding, full‑time role, based at our main site at Plumpton Park in Harrogate, HG2 7LD. We’re happy to discuss flexible working patterns, including hybrid working, and ideally this would include c.3 days per week on site at Plumpton Park. If you would like to discuss flexibility options, please provide more details in your application.

What we offer you

As a minimum, all our employees receive free meals, drinks and snacks while at work, a discretionary quarterly profit‑share bonus, holiday allowance with the option to buy and sell additional days, company‑wide employee discounts, access to our health cash plan, wellbeing support, company‑funded counselling, and enrolment in the company pension.
We also offer a range of development opportunities no matter your role and ambitions. We encourage everyone to explore what makes them the best version of themselves, and we do this through external training programmes, apprenticeships and internal 1:1 coaching schemes.

Great People, Great Culture

We are Bettys & Taylors Group. Our family business is home to three iconic Yorkshire brands – Yorkshire Tea, Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate. Together we share a passion for quality, service and doing things properly. We are driven by our purpose and our values, and we believe our people are what set us apart. We welcome applications from all cultures, backgrounds and experiences and we are committed to offering an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.

Applications

If you are ready to make a significant impact and help shape the future of our Group, we would love to hear from you.
Click here to learn more about life at Bettys & Taylors Group.
Questions should be directed in the first instance, to Anna Jaques, People Director at [e-mail].
There will be a minimum two‑stage recruitment process for this role; we plan that the first stage will take place on Wednesday 28th January 2026 and the second stage will take place on Monday 16th February 2026. If you are unable to attend these dates, please state this in your application.
The closing date for this vacancy is 5pm, on Friday 9th January 2026. Screening will begin as soon as applications are received.
To apply for this role, you will be required to submit a CV and cover letter via our Applicant Tracking System.