Search Assignment: Chief Risk Officer UK and Ireland
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Candidate Briefing Document
Prepared by:
Melissa Baxter
Russam GMS Ltd.
Email : [email protected]
Mobile: 07789 985 229
Tel : 0845 658 1717
Russam GMS Ltd. advises the company on the basis of an exclusive consulting assignment.
The following details are for your personal information and should be kept confidential.
The Company
Equifax empowers businesses and consumers with information they can trust. A global leader in information
solutions, we leverage one of the largest sources of consumer and commercial data, along with advanced
analytics and proprietary technology, to create customized insights that enrich both the performance of
businesses and the lives of consumers.
Customers have trusted Equifax for over 100 years to deliver innovative solutions with the highest integrity and
reliability. Businesses — large and small — rely on us for consumer and business credit intelligence, portfolio
management, fraud detection, decisioning technology, marketing tools, and much more. We empower individual
consumers to manage their personal credit information, protect their identity, and maximize their financial wellbeing.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Equifax Inc. employs approximately 7,000 people in 15 countries through
North America, Latin America and Europe. Equifax is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500® Index. Our
common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EFX.
On January 12th 2014, Equifax announced its acquisition of TDX Group, the UK’s largest debt placement services
and debt management platform company. Founded in 2004, TDX provides businesses with technology, data and
advisory solutions to improve debt liquidation and the fair treatment of consumers in financial arrears. Based in
Nottingham, UK, TDX is the leader in the UK debt placement and recovery industry and has a rapidly growing
global presence. TDX’s unique data assets and proven product suite enable the company to anticipate market
movements, and maintain a competitive advantage through investments in innovation and technology.
With the acquisition, Equifax expands its capabilities within the collections segment and by adding TDX’s
technology, software, services, and platforms it expands its capabilities in other markets. Lenders and creditors
across multiple industry verticals will benefit from the combined strength of the global resources and experience
of Equifax and TDX’s leading debt placement and recovery management systems.
For further information, please visit the Equifax website: www.equifax.com
The Position
Chief Risk Officer (CRO) UK & Ireland
Responsible for the oversight of all aspects of risk management, for Equifax UK&I and TDX Group to achieve corporate and
financial objectives
Local Description
Job Role:
Job Function:
Job Grade:
Reports to:
Chief Risk Officer
Legal, Risk and Compliance
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TBC
Essential Job Functions
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Accountable to respective UK statutory boards for managing the risk profile of Equifax & TDX
Establish and oversee the risk infrastructure (procedures, staffing, training, etc.).
Monitor performance relative to expected results, and identifying block trends while recommending actions to be
taken to improve performance or reduce risk.
Execute Risk reporting required for the management of Equifax & TDX business lines.
Ensure adequate Risk administration occurs in a timely manner.
Act as subject matter expert in providing Risk solutions that can be used across the business.
Act as a key advisor to the UK Executive Committees and senior management on issues relating to the risk
management strategy and capacity.
Provide leadership guidance and advice in the development of business strategies, goals and objectives consistent with
our vision and values.
Work with the Equifax & TDX Executive teams to promote and provide leadership with respect to topics pertaining to
risk management.
Represent business Equifax & TDX at UK & Global governance forums.
Assist in developing working relationships with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and counterparts in competitor
organisations.
Provide challenge to business strategy and plans which exceed the UK’s risk appetite and tolerances.
Knowledge Areas
Major Accountabilities
Governance
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Chair the EFX and TDX Risk Committees, and other committees to be created as necessary
Provide input/guidance to the business to ensure appropriate overall governance is in place to control risk
Ensure alignment between local, regional and enterprise governance
Provide validation and management of all risk reporting, analysis and training
Establish robust governance arrangements to manage, monitor and report risk through effective controls, procedures
and system safeguards
Set and Maintain the Risk Framework
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Establish risk appetite for UK&I
Establish risk policies, limits, and guidelines
Agree or approve (depending on FCA regulation) risk policies, limits, and guidelines for all operation
Set the risk operating model and structure
Undertake risk assessments, against established risk tolerances and appetites, through effective processes and
procedures and address deficiencies
Operate the Risk Framework
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Ensure tools and processes are in place to identify and measure risks, including the provision of oversight of and
challenge to the UK’s risk governance and systems and controls
Ensure risks are monitored and reported relative to the risk appetite and limits
Drive risk discussions, provide input, and ensure decisions are made regarding risk acceptance/mitigation
Escalate significant issues as necessary
Ensure ORSAs (Own Risk and Solvency Assessments) are completed as necessary; communicate results, escalate issues,
and make recommendations for action as appropriate
Maintain all risk management policies and profiles, including in comprehensive documented format to ensure
adequacy and effectiveness
Capital Adequacy
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Monitor and evaluate capital adequacy on an Economic, GAAP and Statutory basis for all entities within UK&I
Help facilitate stress testing on an Economic, GAAP and Statutory basis; monitor results, escalate issues, and make
recommendations for action as appropriate
Support development of our internal economic capital model and facilitate its use in UK&I for making business
decisions
Business Partnership and Guidance
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Review and ensure alignment of strategy, business plan, investment plan, and capital plan with our established risk
tolerance
Support M&A evaluation and implementation
Evaluate risk on certain new products and provide input
Foster a strong risk management culture in the UK&I, including effective training and communication
Actively participate in management of crisis situations as they arise
Act as the primary liaison with UK&I on all corporate risk programs and initiatives and on any risk issues identified
within Global Risk Management.
Regulatory/External Stakeholders
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Monitor emerging regulatory/capital requirements across UK&I and work to bring influence in line with Equifax &
TDX’s interest
Proactively promote the development of relationships with key stakeholders in the regulatory community, and
effective communications with all of our regulators in particular the FCA
Develop relationships and keep abreast of Credit Bureau industry related issues/topics
People Management
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Build, oversee and manage the risk personnel within UK&I
Address training needs/gaps for individuals and groups within Risk Management
Leadership
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Conduct all activities to the highest standards of integrity and honesty
Serve as an engaged and constructive participant and positive influence on the EFX and TDX Executive Teams as well as
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the leadership team for International and Global Risk Management
Set a positive leadership example
Professional Competencies
Communicates Effectively
 Effectively and professionally interacts with individual and groups.
 Presents information clearly, concisely, and logically.
 Takes into consideration the audience and best method of communication.
 Professional presentation in both written and oral communication.
Planning & Organising
 Balances multiple priorities.
 Exceptional organizational skills and proven ability to handle multiple tasks / priorities.
 Ability to work under pressure while delivering high quality work to tight deadlines.
 Maintains high attention to detail.
Manages Relationships
 Anticipates customer requirements, upcoming needs and pro-actively manages.
 Works in a professional manner with internal and external customers.
 Maintains contact with key customers to ensure they are kept up to date with status.
 Follows up with customer during and after the delivery of services to ensure their needs have been met.
 Listens to and incorporates views of colleagues, other business areas and the requirements of customers.
Team Working
 Proactively offers support to colleagues in team and in other business groups.
 Promotes good working relationships.
 Seen as a positive influence and acts corporately for greater collective success
Learning on the Fly
 Learns quickly when facing new problems - a relentless and versatile learner.
 Analyses both successes and failure for clues to improvement
 Experiments and tries unconventional approaches to find solutions.
 Enjoys the challenge of unfamiliar tasks.
 Quickly grasps the essence and the underlying structure of anything.
Experience Requirements
Required Qualifications
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Outstanding financial skills and experience
Knowledge of the Financial Services industry, including regulation (FCA), risk management techniques and financial
reporting
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
Ability to work with and influence others with different backgrounds and at different levels, including internal and
external stakeholders
Proven ability to work effectively with business partners and serve as a constructive member of a leadership and
executive team
Bachelor’s degree (or greater) in a finance-related field is desirable
Extensive demonstrable experience in risk management and related fields
Preferred Qualifications
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Degree, MBA, Phd, or certification in a risk / finance field
Strong management and leadership skills
Demonstrated ability to foster good relationships with the FCA and other external stakeholders
Analytical and pragmatic, with strong problem solving skills
Timetable
Actions
By When
Closing date on candidate applications
Monday, 13 April 2015
Candidate preliminary interviews with Russam GMS
Tuesday 14 April 2015, Wednesday 15th April 2015
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and Tuesday 21 April 2015
Long List Meeting with Equifax
Week commencing Monday 27th April 2015
First stage interviews with Equifax
Week commencing Monday 4 May 2015
Second stage interviews with Equifax
Week commencing Monday 11 May 2015
Final Interviews with Equifax
Week commencing Monday 18 May 2015
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How To Apply
To apply for this post, please provide the following:
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a supporting statement, explaining how you believe your experience matches the requirements of the
role, directly addressing the person specification.
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a short introductory statement demonstrating your motivation for this role; and
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a comprehensive CV including details of your achievements in each role, and including details of two
referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer.
All of these documents should be uploaded in the relevant fields via the application link below:
http://russam-gms.co.uk/vacancies/4475/
For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact Melissa Baxter on 07789 985229
[email protected]