Basel 3.1 and the Future of Risk and Treasury Hiring in London
By Campion Pickworth – Specialist Treasury and CRO Executive Search Partner in London
Basel 3.1 is not simply a regulatory update—it represents a structural transformation in how banks manage risk, capital, and liquidity. Unlike previous regulatory cycles that triggered waves of senior leadership change, Basel 3.1 is reshaping institutions through deep operational transformation, enhanced regulatory frameworks, and evolving treasury strategies.
At Campion Pickworth, a specialist provider of Treasury Executive Search in London and trusted partner for CRO Executive Search mandates, we are seeing Basel 3.1 drive a new phase of hiring defined by technical expertise, regulatory sophistication, and strategic leadership.
This article explores how Basel 3.1 is redefining risk and treasury recruitment in London—and what banks, candidates, and senior leaders must understand to stay competitive.
Basel 3.1: From Leadership Turnover to Structural Transformation
Unlike earlier regulatory reforms, Basel 3.1 is not driving widespread turnover at Chief Risk Officer (CRO) level. Most banks already have established risk leadership and governance frameworks capable of absorbing the regulatory change.
However, Basel 3.1 is exerting significant pressure on functions beneath the CRO layer, particularly across:
- Risk change and transformation programmes
- Regulatory and capital reporting frameworks
- Model governance and methodology redesign
- Capital optimisation and liquidity management
As a result, hiring activity is shifting away from headline CRO appointments towards specialist risk and treasury talent with deep regulatory expertise.
Nevertheless, Basel 3.1 is reshaping the CRO agenda. Organisations engaging in CRO Executive Search in London are increasingly prioritising leaders with proven experience in regulatory transformation, data governance, and enterprise-wide risk strategy.
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CRO Executive Search London
https://www.campionpickworth.com/executive-search
The Rise of Risk Change as a Strategic Capability
One of the most significant consequences of Basel 3.1 is the elevation of risk change from a project function to a strategic capability.
Banks are investing heavily in:
- Basel 3.1 implementation programmes
- Credit risk methodology enhancements
- RWA and capital framework redesign
- Enterprise-wide data and governance transformation
This has created sustained demand for:
- Senior risk change managers
- Regulatory transformation specialists
- Basel-focused business analysts
- Programme and portfolio leaders in risk
For specialist executive search firms in London, risk change has become one of the most dynamic and competitive hiring markets in financial services.
Risk Recruitment and Advisory
https://www.campionpickworth.com/about-us
Regulatory Reporting: From Compliance to Competitive Advantage
Basel 3.1 is fundamentally increasing the technical complexity and strategic importance of regulatory reporting.
Banks are facing:
- More granular capital and risk disclosures
- Enhanced scrutiny from regulators
- Complex interactions between standardised and internal model approaches
- Pressure to deliver high-quality data under tight timelines
To respond, institutions are strengthening:
- Regulatory reporting teams
- Capital and RWA analytics functions
- Risk data and aggregation capabilities
Demand is rising for professionals with expertise in:
- COREP and FINREP
- Capital and RWA reporting
- Risk data governance and BCBS 239
- Regulatory interpretation and policy
As regulatory reporting becomes increasingly interconnected with treasury strategy, organisations are turning to specialist Treasury Executive Search in London to secure scarce technical talent.
Bank for International Settlements – Basel Framework
https://www.bis.org/basel_framework
Bank of England – Prudential Regulation Authority
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/prudential-regulation
European Banking Authority – Basel 3.1 implementation
https://www.eba.europa.eu
Treasury Under Basel 3.1: From Support Function to Strategic Engine
Basel 3.1 is accelerating the evolution of treasury from a support function into a strategic engine of balance sheet optimisation.
Banks are actively hiring:
- Treasury transformation specialists
- Capital and liquidity experts
- Balance sheet optimisation professionals
- Senior treasury leaders with regulatory change experience
While Basel 3.1 is not directly driving CRO turnover, it is significantly elevating the importance of treasury leadership in banks’ strategic decision-making.
For organisations seeking senior treasury talent, the market is characterised by scarcity, competition, and rising expectations. This is why specialist Treasury Executive Search firms in London are playing an increasingly critical role in securing high-impact leadership talent.
Talent Scarcity and the Redesign of Executive Search
Basel 3.1 is being implemented in an already constrained talent market.
Banks face multiple structural challenges:
- Limited supply of Basel-experienced professionals
- Intense competition from consultancies and fintechs
- Reduced appetite for visa sponsorship
- Growing demand for hybrid risk–treasury–data skillsets
As a result, executive search is evolving from transactional recruitment to strategic talent advisory.
While CRO Executive Search in London is not being driven directly by Basel 3.1, the framework is redefining what effective CRO leadership looks like: strategic, data-literate, transformation-oriented, and commercially astute.
The Future of Risk and Treasury Hiring in London
Looking ahead, Basel 3.1 will continue to reshape hiring priorities across three critical areas:
- Risk change and regulatory transformation
- Regulatory, capital, and data reporting
- Treasury strategy, capital optimisation, and liquidity management
We expect:
- Sustained growth in specialist risk change roles
- Continued demand for senior treasury leadership
- Expansion of cross-functional roles bridging risk, treasury, and data
- Increased reliance on specialist executive search firms
For candidates, Basel 3.1 represents a rare opportunity to move into high-impact strategic roles.
For banks, it represents a fundamental shift in how risk and treasury capabilities are designed and resourced.
Partner with a Specialist Treasury and CRO Executive Search Firm in London
At Campion Pickworth, we partner with financial institutions to solve complex risk and treasury hiring challenges.
As a specialist provider of Treasury Executive Search in London and trusted partner for CRO Executive Search, we deliver talent across:
- Risk change and regulatory transformation
- Regulatory and capital reporting
- Treasury and balance sheet strategy
- Senior risk and governance leadership
If you would like to discuss how Basel 3.1 is shaping your talent strategy, we would welcome a confidential conversation.
Contact Campion Pickworth
https://www.campionpickworth.com/contact