Head of Audit & Risk

Head of Audit & Risk Application Deadline: 19 August 2025

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Derby

Description About us
Porterbrook is the UK's leading rolling stock financier and asset management company. We've been at the heart of the rail network for over three decades with 4000 vehicles in our diverse portfolio of passenger and freight trains.
As a partner that adds value to the railway today and for the future, we've invested over £3.5bn in new rolling stock and we're actively looking to invest a further £1bn in the years ahead. Since 2020, this includes over £550 million in new trains, fleet upgrades, traction innovation and rail infrastructure.
Sustainability is embedded in our decision making, and we've been named the global sector leader in the annual GRESB sustainability assessment for the last four years.
Our teams are leading some of the most exciting innovations taking place in the railway today at our sites in Derby, London, and the 135-acre Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire - an invaluable asset for the railway to test and trial new traction technologies.
Our valuesAbout the team
Our Finance team have responsibility for our accounts, purchase ledger, budgets and maintenance forecasts for our assets, to name a few.

About the role A great opportunity for an exceptional Head of Audit & Risk, to join the Porterbrook team.

Role Purpose
The Head of Audit & Risk is responsible for the development and effective implementation of a company-wide governance, risk management and assurance framework and supporting processes that facilitate and support the successful delivery of business activities. Key responsibilities of this role include:

• Delivery of a company-wide, risk-based audit plan to evaluate internal controls, make recommendations for improvements where required and report audit activity and significant findings to executive management and Audit and Risk Committee;
• Facilitation of the update and reporting of the corporate risk register (including Long Marston site operations); and
• Ensuring company assets are appropriately insured.

Overall, the role is responsible for:

• Providing assurance that assets are protected and key business activities are appropriately controlled; and
• Improving the controls consciousness of staff and managers, resulting in a stronger overall control framework and a reduced risk of fraud, financial misstatement and process inefficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and periodically update a risk based internal audit plan to provide assurance to executive and non-executive management that fraud and key business risks are being appropriately managed;
• Responsible for the delivery of the internal audit plan, the overall quality of the audit work performed and the regular reporting of progress against plan and key findings arising to both executive and non-executive management;
• Responsible for the development and maintenance of an internal audit methodology and processes and for the delivery of internal audit work to an agreed minimum set of standards;
• To provide support in respect of the design of controls and processes in new or enhanced business processes and systems, as either requested by management or identified as a key risk during internal audit planning. To include update of relevant procedures as required;
• Championing the sharing of good practice in control and process management across the business; and
• Oversee investigations of suspected significant fraud or other financial misconduct.

• Facilitate the update of the Porterbrook risk management process and register, including provision of regular updates to executive management and Audit and Risk Committee;
• Identify and report strategic risks, ensuring executive management have considered potential change in risk profile as a result of significant business decisions or initiatives; and
• Provide periodic risk updates to the wider management team and seek feedback and updates for consideration for inclusion in the risk register.

• Oversee lessee and supplier insurance compliance programme to ensure that customers and suppliers meet their lease and contract obligations; and
• Manage timely and cost-effective placement of Porterbrook insurance, maintaining close working relationship with the appointed insurance broker and validating opportunities and proposed changes in insurance cover with the Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel.

• Liasion with the external auditor;
• Undertake credit risk reviews of key supplier, inlcuding maintenance providers, when requested;
• When requested, undertake "Know your Client" investigation of new customers as part of the Company's Money Laundering compliance obigations;
• Maintain the "Corporate Governance and Delegated Authorities Mandate" and submit for annual approval by the Audit and Risk Committee;
• Support the maintenance of required governance policies, such as fraud, bribery, ethics, data protection, modern slavery and whistle blower policies to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, where applicable;
• Monitor for emerging legislation and implement governance changes as required; and
• As directed by the Chief Financial Officer, carry out ad-hoc projects when requested.

Skills / Experience What you'll need to have

• Able to establish and retain good personal relationships;
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with ability to motivate others to implement control improvements;
• Highly motivated individual who will provide leadership and guidance to the organisation and promote teamwork; and
• Whilst a team player, must be able to effectively work with limited supervision whilst delivering the relevant outputs in a timely manner.
• Experience of presenting to executive management/ Audit Committees;
• Experience of project management, risks and governance;
• Experience of all aspects of planning and delivering internal audits in a complex business environment, including auditing projects and IT systems;
• Experience of leading and facilitating risk identification and risk reporting;
• Ability to encourage action and change through negotiation, while being clear and ensuring adherence to expected ethical and behavioural standards; and
• Experience of corporate insurance in general, and insurance renewal in particular preferable.
• Strong accounting background, with good knowledge of process mapping, controls design and business processes in general;
• Good knowledge of internal audit methodologies, best practices and use of tools and technology to deliver a first-class internal audit function;
• Good knowledge of project management and project assurance activities;
• Insurance terminology, products and industry; and
• Experience of rail industry/ leasing preferable.
• Educated to good degree (or equivalent) standard; and
• Accounting (ACA or equivalent) or Internal Audit (CMIIA) qualified.

It would be great if you also had

• Accounting;
• Process mapping and controls design;
• Risk management;
• Project management governance and controls;
• Insurance market and policies;
• Internal Audit methodology; and
• Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office.

A great place to work People are the heart of Porterbrook. Our close knit team is diverse, supportive and flexible. We have a collaborative work ethic both within the company and with our customers and suppliers. In recognition of this we have been awarded:

• Investors in People Gold accreditation
• Investors in People 'We Invest in Wellbeing' Gold accreditation
• National Rail Awards 2023 Fleet Achievement of the Year
• National Rail Awards 2023 Safety Achievement of the Year

These accolades reflect the company's dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees are empowered to thrive.

To learn more about why Porterbrook is a great place to work please visit our website and follow us on social media.

Our benefits
We are seeking the very best talent to join the team, and offer an excellent salary, along with bonus and benefits. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a great organisation with outstanding people and a road map for the future to grow and develop the business. Some of our benefits are listed below:

• 1.5x employer contributory pension scheme
• Financial wellbeing support
• Flexible working
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Adoption & Shared Parental Leave benefits
• Enhanced Armed Forces policies
• Ongoing support with professional and personal development
• Long service awards
• Porterbrook Star awards
• Life assurance
• Healthcare cash plan
• 25 days' annual leave + Bank Holidays + option to buy and sell up to 5 days' additional leave
• Additional days annual leave for long service
• Season ticket loan

Should you be suitable for the role, the full benefits package will be discussed in more detail during your screening call.

Equal Opportunities
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us on our journey.

Accessibility
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