Overview
Head of Compliance Jobs in London Area, United Kingdom at Valmont Talent
Title: Head of Compliance
Company: Valmont Talent
Location: London Area, United Kingdom
UK Head of Compliance & MLRO
London | Confidential Search | Payments / Fintech / Digital Assets
Valmont Talent is managing a confidential search for a UK Head of Compliance & MLRO to join a high-growth, well-funded fintech scaling its UK regulated presence.
This is a foundational leadership role with real ownership from day one. You will build the UK compliance function, act as MLRO, lead regulatory engagement with the FCA, and help shape the control environment for a business operating across payments, financial crime, and digital asset-related services.
The role would suit someone who enjoys building rather than simply maintaining. You will be hands-on, commercially aware, and comfortable operating as both the strategic lead and the person who can draft, implement, challenge and deliver.
Key responsibilities include:
- Acting as MLRO and leading the UK AML/CFT and financial crime framework
- Building policies, procedures, systems and governance for the UK entity
- Leading FCA engagement, including licensing and registration workstreams
- Overseeing KYC/KYB, CDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions and SAR processes
- Partnering with Product, Engineering, Legal and Operations on new products and market expansion
- Reporting to senior leadership and the UK Board on compliance, AML and sanctions matters
We are looking for:
- 8+ years’ compliance experience in payments, fintech or broader financial services
- Strong knowledge of UK financial regulation, including the MLRs, FCA Handbook, PSRs and EMRs
- Prior MLRO experience or senior AML/financial crime leadership experience in an FCA-regulated business
- Experience building and executing compliance programmes, not just overseeing mature frameworks
- Confidence working directly with the FCA and cross-functional leadership teams
- Ideally, exposure to cross-border payments, FX, cryptoasset compliance or high-growth fintech environments
This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of the UK compliance agenda for a business at an important stage of regulatory and commercial growth.
