Adam Kaye - UK Managing Director
The importance of Risk Management and Compliance has never been a more poignant a theme as of late. Due to the still evident shock waves omnipresent in the market place, there has been a noticeable and increasing demand for skilled and experienced Risk and Compliance professionals.
Trends in Q4 2009
The Risk market has grown more confident in Q4, and companies have began to source professionals again from external parties as growth in their businesses is forecast as of the beginning of next year. Consultancies seem to be manoeuvring themselves to gain competitive advantage cross sector with niche specialists.
Profiles which appear to be more in demand are those with Basel II, RWA and economic capital experience which is a result of the vested interest on regulatory compliance and risk across financial institutions.
Q3 also saw a high level of interest for technical risk management experts in particular for those with exotic product knowledge and core front office experience.
Within operational risk, professionals at AVP/VP level with strong framework development skills were highly regarded as new potential candidates.
Risk professionals within Power Generation and related manufacturing disciplines were also buoyant due to greater demands to release investment.
Remuneration and Bonus Expectations
The topic of guaranteed bonuses has once again become a relevant subject, with a select number of houses expressing interest in such structures as a method of securing the best talent prior to the close of year. Nevertheless, potential employees do still remain realistic about their bonus expectations, with numerous echoes suggesting that a pay rise would be preferred instead of relying on a bonus next year. It does not come as a surprise that generally speaking, increased salaries were seen as the best method to secure the best profiles and steer them away from the competition. Interestingly Q4 also saw the imminent return of both counter offers and buy-backs as companies wrestled to retain their top achievers, evidence of a distinctly candidate short market in majority of areas within risk.
It is becoming more and more of a challenge for companies to hire these experienced professionals to boost competitive advantage and it will be harder as a period of strong employment growth and a shortage of Risk and Compliance profiles on the market is starting.
Would you be interested in securing your business top tier Risk and Compliance professionals? Were you to feel you would like a consultation on the solutions available in your area and location, call Adam Kaye on +44 (0)207 467 2520 or email me at AKaye@antal.com
