Successful Applications: NED of a UK P2P lending company

In a little over 100 words, this candidate clearly and concisely summarised why they’re the perfect fit for the role. They did this by revealing their extensive experience in financial services managing risk and by demonstrating their interest in innovative tech-enabled businesses.

Zopa, Non-Executive Director

Zopa, launched in 2005, is a venture-backed peer-to-peer (P2P) money lending service that allows lenders and borrowers to deal directly with one another. They seek a Non-Executive Director for their newly established P2P Board, chaired by Christine Farnish. They sought to appoint someone who had a C-level background within UK financial services with experience managing risk (preferably credit risk). The successful candidate also needed to have a natural interest in tech-enabled businesses.

UK Financial Services C-Level Risk Management:

You will bring C-level experience within UK regulated financial services (banking, asset management or insurance) and will bring experience of managing risk (preferably credit risk) either directly (e.g. as Chief Risk Officer) or indirectly (in another C-level management role with oversight of a risk function reporting into you). Please summarise your most relevant experience including organisation names, positions held, dates you held the role and quantifying your evidence where possible.

I was Group Head of Market risk in Standard Chartered from 2007 to 2013 managing a global team across 20 locations. Key achievements included regulatory approvals for our internal capital models and being a key enabler for controlled business growth. I have 20 years experience in total in risk positions across Frankfurt, London, Tokyo and Singapore. At the time I was approved under the FSA/PRA regime as a significant influence function (SIF).

Covering letter:

I am excited about the change in the financial industry which is driven through application of new technologies. I am also excited about the customer being the main beneficiary of this change, both with respect to client service as well as more competitive rates. I would love to apply my 25-years of experience in the Financial Service industry to help Zopa to continue to grow in a responsible way. I have a proven track record in most operational areas such as market risk, compliance, client services, financial crime, cyber and operational resilience.

If you missed the previous 'Successful Applications' instalment click here.

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