Head of Assurance
The Head of Assurance leads the development, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of Betfred’s Second Line Assurance Framework. This is a senior role within the Governance & Assurance function, responsible for providing independent oversight and challenge across regulatory compliance, financial crime, operational controls, and risk management activities. The role will play a critical part in protecting Betfred’s licence to operate by ensuring robust assurance over compliance with UK Gambling Commission requirements, anti-money laundering obligations, fraud prevention controls, and wider regulatory expectations. Working closely with Compliance, Risk, Legal, Operations, Technology, Internal Audit, and Executive stakeholders, the Head of Assurance will drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and proactive control management across the organisation. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong technical expertise, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and the ability to influence at Executive and Board level.
- Design, implement, and continuously enhance Betfred’s enterprise wide Second Line Assurance Framework.
- Develop and maintain a risk-based assurance plan aligned to regulatory, financial crime, operational, and conduct risks.
- Establish consistent assurance methodologies, standards, reporting, and governance across the organisation.
- Ensure assurance activities are proportionate, data-driven, and aligned to regulatory expectations and industry best practice.
- Define assurance coverage across key regulatory obligations, controls, policies, and processes.
- Coordinate assurance activities to minimise duplication and maximise insight across Risk, Compliance, and Internal Audit functions.
- Provide independent oversight and assurance over compliance with UK Gambling Commission Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP).
- Lead thematic reviews and deep-dive assurance assessments across key regulatory risk areas.
- Assess the design and operational effectiveness of regulatory controls and governance arrangements.
- Monitor emerging regulatory developments and ensure assurance activity evolves in line with changing expectations.
- Support readiness for regulatory inspections, reviews, and external scrutiny.
- Provide robust challenge and oversight to ensure identified issues are effectively remediated.
- Lead and oversee complex assurance reviews across operational, regulatory, and financial crime risk areas.
- Ensure assurance reviews are evidence-based, proportionate, and delivered to a high professional standard.
- Produce clear, concise, and commercially focused assurance reports with practical recommendations.
- Provide independent challenge to senior stakeholders on risk management, control effectiveness, and regulatory compliance.
- Escalate material concerns, control weaknesses, or emerging risks appropriately.
- Maintain effective issue tracking and validation processes to ensure sustainable remediation.
- Develop high-quality management information and assurance reporting for Executive Committees and Board Committees.
- Provide insight into assurance outcomes, control effectiveness, emerging risks, and thematic trends.
- Support governance committees with clear reporting, challenge, and recommendations.
- Ensure robust documentation, audit trails, and evidence management for all assurance activities.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of governance and assurance strategies across the organisation.
- Build strong and credible relationships across Compliance, Risk, Legal, Operations, Technology, Product, and Executive leadership teams.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on assurance, regulatory, and financial crime matters.
- Influence positive control environments and drive accountability for remediation activities.
- Promote a strong culture of compliance, transparency, and continuous improvement.
- Support training and awareness initiatives relating to assurance, regulatory obligations, and financial crime risks.
- Support the continued development and maturity of the Assurance function.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement in assurance methodologies, tooling, and reporting capabilities.
- Promote the use of data analytics and technology-enabled assurance techniques where appropriate.
- Mentor and develop team members to build a high-performing assurance capability.
- Maintain awareness of industry best practice, regulatory expectations, and emerging risks across the gambling sector.
- Significant experience within Assurance, Risk, Compliance, Financial Crime, Internal Audit, or related control functions within a regulated environment (required)
- Strong understanding of UK Gambling Commission regulatory requirements and expectations (required)
- Deep knowledge of financial crime risk management, including AML, fraud, sanctions, and customer risk controls (required)
- Proven experience developing and implementing assurance or oversight frameworks (required)
- Experience delivering risk-based assurance reviews and assessing control effectiveness (required)
- Strong understanding of governance, risk, and control frameworks (required)
- Excellent analytical, investigative, and problem-solving capabilities (required)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders (required)
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and highly regulated environment (required)
- High levels of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgement (required)
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management capability (required)
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution (required)
- Experience within the gambling sector or similarly regulated industries (nice-to-have)
- Professional qualification in Audit, Risk, Compliance, Financial Crime, or related disciplines (nice-to-have)
- Experience engaging with regulators or supporting regulatory inspections and reviews (nice-to-have)
- Familiarity with assurance, GRC, or case management systems (nice-to-have)
- Experience using data analytics or technology-enabled assurance techniques (nice-to-have)
- Understanding of Three Lines of Defence / Three Lines Model principles (nice-to-have)
Betfred is a betting and gaming company that has operated for over 50 years, founded by Fred and Peter Done. It runs more than 1,300 betting shops and employs around 9,500 people, combining a large retail estate with online sports betting and gaming. In 2019 it entered the US sports betting market as Betfred Sportsbook, now operating in several states, and has established a presence in South Africa, where it holds a majority stake in the online betting company LottoStar. Headquartered in Warrington, England, Betfred emphasises customer service and responsible gambling across its operations.
