Job Overview
We are seeking an experienced Partner to lead the build-out of a Payments Services Regulatory Practice in London. This is a senior leadership role with full responsibility for establishing, growing, and leading a market‑leading advisory offering covering payments regulatory authorisations, ongoing conduct advice, and regulatory assurance.
The successful candidate will bring deep regulatory expertise across the UK and European payments landscape, combined with a strong commercial mindset and a proven track record of originating and delivering significant client engagements. This role offers the opportunity to shape strategy, build a team, and play a key role in the firm’s broader financial services growth agenda.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and execute the strategy for a Payments Services Regulatory Practice, including service offerings across: regulatory authorisations and permissions (e.g. FCA authorisation, variations of permission), ongoing conduct and compliance advisory, regulatory assurance, reviews, and remediation programmes
- Establish the firm as a trusted adviser to payments firms, fintechs, e‑money institutions, and related financial services clients.
- Contribute to the firm’s broader financial services and regulatory strategy at Partner level.
Business Development & Origination
- Originate, lead, and grow a sustainable pipeline of high‑value regulatory engagements.
- Leverage existing client relationships and market profile to drive new business.
- Lead proposals, pricing, and contract negotiations for complex regulatory advisory work.
- Act as a senior sponsor to key client accounts.
Client Delivery & Technical Leadership
- Provide senior‑level regulatory advice to boards, senior management, and compliance leaders.
- Lead complex and high‑risk regulatory engagements, ensuring high‑quality delivery and strong commercial outcomes.
- Act as a recognised subject matter expert in payments regulation, including FCA expectations and supervisory approaches.
- Build, lead, and mentor a high‑performing team of regulatory specialists.
- Recruit senior hires as the practice grows and develop future leaders within the team.
- Foster a strong culture of collaboration, quality, and professional excellence.
Market Presence
- Develop and maintain a strong external profile through thought leadership, industry forums, and regulatory engagement.
- Represent the firm in discussions with regulators, industry bodies, and key stakeholders where appropriate.
Candidate Profile
- Currently operating at Partner level in a consulting or professional services firm, or an established Director with a significant and demonstrable business origination track record.
- Deep expertise in payments regulation, including regulatory authorisations, conduct requirements, and regulatory assurance.
- Strong understanding of the UK regulatory environment, particularly FCA frameworks applicable to payments and e‑money firms.
- Proven ability to originate and deliver material consulting revenue.
- Experience advising senior stakeholders, including boards and executive committees.
- Demonstrated ability to build and scale a practice or service line.
- Experience working with fintechs, payments firms, EMIs, or challenger banks.
- Existing market profile or thought leadership in payments regulation.
- Experience building teams and mentoring senior practitioners.
Seniority level
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Industries
- Business Consulting and Services and Financial Services