Job Title: Risk & Compliance Manager

Employment Type: Full-time, 12 month FTC

Location: London (Global Remit)

Reporting to:

Chief Risk Officer, Ardonagh Specialty

Deputy CEO, HWF

About HWF:

HWF is a specialist M&A insurance broker and advisor. The firm provides insurance solutions for corporate transactions, with a focus on Warranty & Indemnity (W&I) and related transactional risk products.

HWF operates internationally in the:

• UK (FCA via Appointed Representative model)

• EU (Directly Authorised in Germany with Branches in France, Poland, the UK, Italy and Spain)

• Middle East (DIFC Incorporated / DFSA Authorised)

HWF is part of The Ardonagh Group, within the Ardonagh Specialty platform.

At HWF, we provide much more than just a workplace. We are dedicated to fostering skill development and knowledge within a team that is passionate about their work, values their Employees, and truly celebrates diversity.

Working at HWF means you’ll be part of The Ardonagh Group. We are proud of our innovative environment offering many opportunities for growth across the wider group. Employees regularly move between our united teams, and we encourage you to make your role your own.

Our offices are lively and exciting places to be, but we understand that life needs flexibility, and offer a genuinely flexible approach to working. If you are looking to join a thriving, energetic business with exciting plans, this role could be an ideal fit for you.

What we can offer:

We offer much more than just an inclusive culture with apprenticeships, study support, participation in our annual Spotlight Awards, Community Trust, Sports Teams, office socials, events and so much more. All of this with a supportive management team as well as working alongside some of the industry’s top talent.

You’ll have access to wellbeing programs, fantastic discounts across many big-name businesses including supermarkets, gym memberships, restaurants, and healthcare cash plans etc.

Further perks of working with us (Fixed benefits):

• Employer pension contribution of 10% (providing you, the Employee provides 5%).

• Good work life balance - flexibility to suit you.

• Competitive salary.

• Life Assurance at X4 of your base salary.

• Group Income Protection.

• Generous Annual Leave entitlement.

• Private Medical Insurance.

• Group annual bonus scheme.

Manager says:

We are looking for an experienced Risk & Compliance Manager who will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the firm’s risk and compliance framework across all jurisdictions.

The role covers:

• Regulatory compliance

• Financial crime prevention

• Enterprise risk management

• Data protection

The role acts as the central control function, ensuring that:

• HWF meets its regulatory obligations in all operating jurisdictions

• Risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated

• Governance aligns with Ardonagh Group standards

What you will do:

1. Regulatory Compliance

• Monitor and interpret regulatory developments across HWF’s offices for:

UK (FCA AR regime via Ardonagh Speciality Ltd)

EU (Comply with HWF GmbH)

DIFC (DFSA framework)

US (Surplus Lines requirements by state)

• Maintain and update the compliance framework, ensuring:

Alignment with Ardonagh Group policies

Local regulatory compliance in each jurisdiction

Formal Board approval cycles

• Own and manage:

Terms of Business Agreements (ToBAs) with insurers and introducers.

Cross-border placement compliance (non-licensed jurisdictions).

• Deliver Management Information (MI) to senior management, Boards and the Speciality Compliance Function, including:

Key Risk Indicators (KRIs)

Regulatory updates

Risk and Control effectiveness assessments

• Deliver:

New joiner induction on compliance and financial crime

Ongoing training programmes

• Promote:

A strong risk and compliance culture

Awareness of regulatory obligations across jurisdictions

Financial Crime

• Implement and ensure compliance with the financial crime framework, including:

Review of AML / CTF policies and ensure these remain fit for purpose.

Complete KYC (including PEP and sanctions screening) for all HWF clients.

• Assess and complete:

Referrals in line with the Internal Suspicious Activity Reports escalation processes.

• Ensure:

Financial crime risk is embedded in new product approvals

Partners receive clear reporting on financial crime exposure

• Deliver and maintain:

Role-specific financial crime training

Oversight of outsourced controls and third-party relationships

Ongoing Screening Lists

Risk

• Own and maintain the enterprise risk management framework, including:

Risk register

Risk appetite and tolerance thresholds

Control effectiveness reviews

Risk assessments across all business areas

• Ensure:

Clear escalation routes for material risks

Timely reporting to senior management and the Board

• Develop and maintain:

Committee reporting and documentation

Data Protection

• Act as internal subject matter expert, providing:

Advice and challenge to the business on current processes.

Guidance on data handling risks

• Support:

Data breach response processes

Privacy maturity development across the business

• Oversee:

Alignment with Ardonagh Group policies and procedures.

• Compliance with local regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction. (UK GDPR, EU GDPR and DIFC Data Protection Regulations 2020)

What you will bring:

Knowledge:

Essential:

• FCA regulatory framework (including AR model)

• General insurance regulation (UK ICOBS and EU IDD frameworks)

• Financial crime regulations in the UK and EU, inc. Sanctions, AML, CTF and ABC.

• Understanding of U.S. financial crime requirements, inc. AML frameworks and OFAC sanctions regimes, and their application to non-U.S. (foreign) firms

• UK and EU GDPR

Desirable:

• DFSA / DIFC regulatory environment

Experience:

• 6+ years’ experience in financial services risk and compliance

• Experience within general insurance or specialty insurance

• Experience operating in multi-jurisdiction environments

Qualifications (desirable):

• Relevant professional certification (e.g. ICA, ACAMS, IRM, and CII or equivalents)

Think you don’t meet every requirement?

We are an equal opportunities Employer, dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can thrive, bring their whole self to work, and reach their full potential. If you’re excited about this role, but your experience doesn’t perfectly match what we are looking for, please apply anyway. You might just be the right fit for the job, or other opportunities we may have within the wider Group.

Interview Process:
At HWF, we have a straightforward interview process to ensure the best fit for both you and the company:

• Submit your application with your CV, emphasising your skills and experience related to the job.

• Our Talent Acquisition team will then arrange a call where they can tell you more about the role and the team. We want to learn about your motivation and goals, what you can bring to Ardonagh Specialty, and answer any immediate questions.

• If successful, you will generally be invited to engage in a 1-hour interview with the Hiring Manager and selected team members, via teams or in person. We will discuss our technologies, key skills, and team dynamics and provide further opportunity to ask any questions. This is your chance to voice your thoughts on the role and we will outline our expectations and ensure this role aligns with your ambitions for the future.

• Depending on the role, you may be invited to attend a second stage interview with further members of the team.

If successful or unsuccessful, we always try and move quickly in presenting an offer or providing feedback.

We truly value the diversity of our teams and as a Group, we are committed to supporting and welcoming individuals from all backgrounds, as we appreciate every perspective is a significant part of our success. Should you require any reasonable adjustment throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let a member of the Talent team know.

#AS

If your application is successful, we will conduct relevant employment checks prior to you commencing employment with us. These will include verifying your recent employment, address, credit history, and a standard criminal record check.

Note to recruiters and employment agencies:

We will not pay for unsolicited CV's from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have requested assistance, in writing, for a specific vacancy.