General Counsel

City Executive Search is partnering with an established UK financial services organisation to appoint a General Counsel at an important point in its development.This is a broad, influential leadership mandate for an accomplished financial services lawyer who wants to operate close to the Board and Executive team, shape major strategic decisions and lead the legal function through a period of meaningful change.The General Counsel will act as a trusted adviser to senior leadership, providing clear commercial judgement across complex legal, regulatory and governance matters while ensuring the organisation remains well positioned to respond to an evolving UK financial services landscape.The opportunityThe successful candidate will take responsibility for the organisation's legal function, leading an experienced team of qualified lawyers and working closely with colleagues responsible for corporate governance.The remit will include:Acting as a senior legal adviser to the Board, Executive Committee and senior leadershipProviding pragmatic counsel on strategic, commercial and regulatory mattersLeading the legal response to significant business transformation and changeAdvising on complex commercial agreements, partnerships, outsourcing and technology arrangementsSupporting major corporate or strategic transactions where requiredMaintaining effective relationships with regulators, external counsel and key stakeholdersDeveloping legal capability and ensuring the function remains commercially focused and responsiveAnticipating emerging legal and regulatory risks and translating these into clear executive adviceAbout youYou will be a qualified solicitor or barrister in England & Wales with substantial post-qualification experience and a strong track record gained within regulated financial services.We are particularly interested in speaking with candidates currently operating as a:General Counsel | Deputy General Counsel | Head of Legal | Legal Director You are likely to bring: Significant senior in-house experience within banking, lending, savings, insurance or another closely regulated financial services environmentStrong knowledge of the UK regulatory framework, including the FCA, PRA, SM&CR and Consumer DutyExperience advising Boards and Executive teams on complex or sensitive mattersEvidence of successfully navigating significant organisational changeStrong commercial judgement and the confidence to challenge constructivelyAn ability to make complex legal and regulatory issues clear to non-legal audiencesExperience leading, developing and retaining high-quality legal teams Exposure to retail banking, mortgages, savings, mutual financial services, M&A or significant technology and outsourcing programmes would be particularly valuable.Why consider it?📍 South Wales | Hybrid💷 £125,000 – £150,000 + Benefits⚖️ Senior Leadership AppointmentThe incoming General Counsel will have the opportunity to influence the future direction of an established financial services organisation, work directly with senior decision-makers and build a legal function capable of supporting an ambitious programme of change.For an existing General Counsel, it offers a substantial strategic mandate.For an experienced Head of Legal or Deputy General Counsel, it represents a credible opportunity to step into a full GC leadership role.For a confidential discussion, contact City Executive Search, or apply directly through LinkedIn.