Johan Grobbelaar, Senior Operational Risk Manager

I joined Al Rayan Bank in 2023 as a Senior Operational Risk Manager, my first role in the UK. I was born in South Africa, lived, and worked in New Zealand for four years and relocated to the UK in 2023.

My career background is similarly diverse and includes roles in retail banking, sales, accounting, IT project and program management and running my own small business. Most of my career has however been in operational risk management, predominantly in a Corporate Banking environment, where I held various positions ranging from an independent risk consultant to a Divisional Head. While in New Zealand, I also held the role of Chief Risk Officer at a start-up Fintech.

As a Senior Operational Risk Manager in Al Rayan Bank, my role is to support the Bank, and my colleagues, to manage risk effectively, efficiently and in line with regulatory obligations and best practices. I believe that this is optimally achieved through collaboration and pragmatic engagement.

In the brief time I have been with Al Rayan Bank, I have witnessed the Bank’s impressive growth, and at the same time, observed strong progression on risk management maturity across the Bank. This is a rarity, as in my experience, one can sometimes come at the expense of the other.

I believe that Al Rayan Bank’s success is a consequence of its effective leadership and exceptional people. The Bank’s values are closely aligned to my own and are consistently demonstrated across the Bank. This is one of the many reasons I love working here.