Executive Search for Banking (UK)

Securing the executive talent that shapes the future of UK finance.

Contact Us

Banking Executive Search

Strategic Leadership Search in Banking

In a sector operating at a global financial crossroads, UK banking leaders face a unique convergence of pressures — navigating new international trade dynamics, meeting regulatory scrutiny from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and keeping pace with a vibrant fintech scene.

Hanover is your strategic partner in this environment. We are rooted in the UK market, providing the local insight and global reach necessary to find banking executives who can steer your organisation through these challenges and capitalise on the opportunities ahead.

Trusted By Industry Leaders

Your Banking Partner

Banking Executive Search Solutions for UK Businesses

We connect you with the senior executive and C-suite talent who have proven their mettle in the UK’s demanding financial ecosystem. These leaders thrive at:

Banking executive search

Navigating the PRA and FCA regulatory environment

We possess an intricate understanding of the UK’s regulatory framework, helping you find leaders with demonstrable experience mastering the FCA’s Consumer Duty, managing ring-fencing requirements, and building compliance cultures that are robust and forward-looking.

Propelling innovation from fintech to FTSE 100

Our candidates bridge the gap between legacy systems and tomorrow’s technology, whether you are an FTSE 100 institution undergoing transformation or a challenger bank scaling for growth. Our candidates are experts at leveraging open banking, AI and other emerging technologies to create a strategic advantage.

Securing board and C-suite leadership for strategic challenges

Our specialists find board members and executives with the experience to guide your firm through complex mergers and acquisitions (M&A), international expansion or major restructuring, ensuring your strategic objectives are met with confidence.

Mastering the customer-centric mandate

We source leaders who can embed the principles of the Consumer Duty into your organisation’s DNA, using data to deliver fair, transparent and valuable customer outcomes that foster lasting loyalty.

We Have a Global Reach

While our focus is local, our network is global. Our presence in major international financial centres gives your organisation a distinct advantage, providing access to a worldwide talent pool and securing leaders with the cross-border expertise essential for success in a globalised market.

+100

Senior leaders we’ve placed in the banking industry worldwide over the past two years.

5/15

Successful placements within 5 of the top 15 globally recognized, US-headquartered banks.

>90%

Of our Executive Search clients are in the FS industry

Market Intelligence research and insights

Our Tailored Executive Search Process

Our meticulous process maximises the success of every placement, ensuring your investment in financial leadership delivers a clear, long-term impact.

We start with a consultation to understand your specific banking executive needs. This step informs our tailored search strategy, where our market mapping and candidate engagement are designed to navigate the specific nuances of the British talent market, ensuring a precise and effective result.

Banking Search Specialists

A Dedicated Specialist Team Ready to Help

As one of the leading financial services executive search firms in the UK, our strength lies in our experts. Our dedicated banking search team is based in London, deeply embedded in the financial community.

We are not just commercial banking recruiters. We are market insiders who advise on the full spectrum of talent strategy, from compensation benchmarks to succession planning. This deep expertise enables us to appoint the right executives across all banking sectors.

Meet the Team

Team Effectiveness

Trusted by industry leaders

“Rorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Etiam eu turpis molestie, dictum est a, mattis tellus. Sed dignissim, metus nec fringilla accumsan, risus sem sollicitudin lacus, ut interdum tellus elit sed risus. Maecenas eget condimentum velit, sit amet feugiat lectus. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra.”

Successful Placements

Our Tailored Executive Search Process

Our meticulous process maximises the success of every placement, ensuring your investment in financial leadership delivers a clear, long-term impact.

We start with a consultation to understand your specific banking executive needs. This step informs our tailored search strategy, where our market mapping and candidate engagement are designed to navigate the specific nuances of the British talent market, ensuring a precise and effective result.

Multiple Billion Dollar Private Banking Teams

In San Fran, Southern CA, Boston, New York and Palm Beach

Head of Compliance

Wealth Management Firm

Multiple Private Banking teams – multiple regions

National Private Bank

Finance Director

Leading Provider of Banking Services

Senior Private Wealth Advisor

Top 20 US Bank

Global CFO Commercial Banking

Multinational Bank

Banking Expertise

Why Partner With Us for Banking Executive Search

Whether you are focused on succession planning or reshaping executive teams, Hanover is the strategic partner to help you achieve your goals. With extensive industry experience and a track record of meeting client expectations, we bring deep market expertise to every partnership.

We have developed our business on a foundation of trust, partnership and personalisation, which enables us to connect you to financial executives who steer growth and enhance your organisation’s competitive edge.

Download Now

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about executive search in banking? We’ve listed the most common queries we get from clients, offering insights into how we help you secure the best talent.

How can Hanover help with executive search for regulatory roles?

We’re experts at finding experienced leaders in compliance and governance roles. Some successful mandates include placing a Chief Compliance Officer at a global bank, and a Chief Risk Officer at a commercial bank. Our deep understanding of the regulatory landscape means we can identify talent who meet current requirements while staying abreast of future changes.

What is Hanover’s expertise in team lift outs?

Beyond executive placements, Hanover has a strong track record in completing large team lift outs within private banking, ideal for banks seeking rapid growth, specialised expertise and client assets. Leveraging our network and market intelligence, we attract high-performing teams and manage every part of the process for a seamless transition that drives immediate impact.

What distinguishes Hanover's approach to banking executive search?

Our specialised focus, global network and commitment to diversity set us apart. We also pride ourselves on the tailored approach we offer to each client. Expect personalised solutions that match your specific leadership needs and drive meaningful results.

Do you handle international banking searches?

Yes, our global reach allows us to recruit across regions. Whether you’re seeking talent for international expansion or cross-border expertise, we have the network to deliver results.

How does Hanover drive inclusive leadership selection?

Diversity and inclusion are integral to our approach. We actively seek out diverse talent and ensure your leadership team benefits from varied perspectives and experiences. We also offer leadership solutions that nurture team diversity for ongoing effectiveness.

What banking sectors do you concentrate on?

We work across all banking sectors, including private banking, business banking, investment banking, corporate and commercial banking, retail banking and challenger banks.

What’s the process for starting a search?

We begin with a consultation to understand your requirements, ideal candidate profile, timeline and desired outcomes. From there, we create a focused market map and develop a tailored search strategy, leveraging our network and industry expertise to identify the best candidates.

Connect With Us

Source Premier Banking Executives Today

Simplify executive search for banking in the UK with Hanover. We oversee the complete talent life cycle management, allowing you to focus on core operations. Contact us today to book a confidential consultation with one of our specialists. To learn more about our solutions, download our banking expertise brochure.

Contact a Specialist