Head of Investments (UK)
Location: United Kingdom, flexible
A leading UK financial services organisation is seeking an experienced investment leader to take ownership of its customer and shareholder investment strategy, overseeing a substantial multi-asset portfolio within a highly regulated environment.
This is a rare opportunity to join a well-established, acquisitive business with a strong balance sheet, significant assets under management and a track record of sustained growth. Reporting directly to the CFO and operating as a member of the Finance Leadership Team, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping investment strategy, balance sheet optimisation, governance, sustainability initiatives and M&A activity.
The Opportunity
The Head of Investments will be responsible for leading investment strategy across customer and shareholder assets, ensuring portfolios are optimised within agreed risk appetite whilst supporting broader corporate objectives.
The role combines strategic investment leadership with oversight of outsourced investment managers, asset liability management, governance, sustainability and transaction support.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and implementing investment strategy and asset allocation frameworks.
- Providing oversight and challenge to external investment managers and advisers.
- Leading investment governance, policy development and committee reporting.
- Driving investment risk management and balance sheet optimisation initiatives.
- Supporting corporate transactions, integrations and investment-related due diligence.
- Leading sustainability-related investment initiatives and embedding ESG considerations into decision making.
- Managing key relationships across Finance, Risk, executive leadership and external partners.
- Leading and developing a small, high-performing investments team.
Candidate Profile
We are interested in speaking with senior investment professionals who can demonstrate:
- Significant experience leading customer and/or shareholder investment strategies across diversified portfolios.
- A strong understanding of investment risk management and governance frameworks.
- Experience overseeing third-party investment managers and service providers.
- Asset Liability Management (ALM) expertise, ideally gained within a regulated financial services environment.
- Strong executive communication skills with experience presenting to Boards, Committees and senior stakeholders.
- A track record of influencing strategic decision-making and delivering commercial outcomes.
- Leadership experience with the ability to develop teams and build stakeholder credibility.
Experience within life insurance, pensions, long-term savings or broader institutional investment environments would be particularly attractive.
Professional qualifications such as CFA, FIA/FFA, CAIA, ACCA or CIMA are welcomed but not essential.
Why Consider This Role?
This position offers the opportunity to influence investment strategy at executive level within a growing, complex organisation undergoing continued transformation and strategic development. The successful candidate will have significant visibility across the business and play a key role in investment performance, sustainability initiatives and future corporate transactions.
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