Executive search · Banking & fintech
One search partner. Start to finish.
Board, C-suite and senior risk, finance and compliance appointments for UK banks, specialist lenders and fintechs. Ian Pope runs every search himself — and you can see where it stands at every stage.
Recommendations
What clients and candidates say
Five public recommendations from LinkedIn, quoted as written.
“From my first meeting with him he clearly understood what I wanted, what I did not want and then used his extensive network to find the perfect next career project for me.”
I was introduced to Ian by an old work colleague who recommended him. He was very professional and effective in the whole process of finding and placing me in my new role.
From establishing first point of interest with the opportunity and then managing through a series of interviews to contract offer was about 4 weeks. Largely due to his management finesse and drive.
“Ian is a great example of how to do recruitment well.”
He is well connected, honest, transparent, fast and offers excellent advice.
Ian quickly understands the needs of the individual or business and doesn't waste time when he knows it's not the right fit. In my time working with Ian, he has always done what's right for all parties and delivered on his promises - qualities that are sadly rare in the industry.
“Ian is a leading light for the recruitment industry.”
I have worked with Ian for several years and used his business to find staff for me. In that role, Ian has been highly effective, but that isn't why I use Ian. I use Ian because he is decent, honest, approachable and actually cares about his clients (both those that are recruiting and those that are looking for work). He also doesn't take himself too seriously. In fact, these are probably the qualities that make him so good at his job.
Other recruiters could learn a lot from him.
“Ian recruited all levels from Board to the most junior analyst, and he was able to do this by really taking time to understand both the company’s needs and the candidate’s skills.”
The greatest tribute I can pay to Ian and his ability as a recruiter is that our bank start-up, we were confident to use him exclusively for the first 3 years of our operation.
This, combined with his peerless knowledge of the sector and his desire to find the perfect cultural fit, meant we enjoyed a high quality stream of candidates that quickly proved effective in role once hired. Ian is a pleasure to work with, being a straight talker and that relatively rare individual in the industry who does exactly what they say they will do and when they say they will do it. I have not once had any negative feedback from candidates about Ian, showing the positive experience of working with him on both sides of process. He genuinely believes his success comes from business success and this motivates him. I can’t recommend him highly enough.
“Ian is a cut above the rest!”
You'll all be saying right now - yeh yeh - but seriously he has your back - let me explain.
From the very start of my engagement with Ian, he provided advice and guidance - made time to discuss and re-write my epic autobiography into something more resembling a CV. We discussed the potential employer in detail, and may other opportunities. We spoke early morning, and late into the evening - he made himself available as required - he has your back!
Mr Pope is more than the average Agent, his business model embodies care for the Employer and the Employee, engendering trust and reliability - a real golden nugget amongst the iron pyrite out there.
- 28+ years
- in executive search, specialising in banking and financial services
- Board to C-suite
- Chair, NED, CEO, COO, CFO, CRO, plus Risk, Audit, Compliance and Commercial leadership
- UK-wide
- banks, specialist lenders, fintechs and financial services firms
01 — What we do
Senior hires that hold up in a regulated business
A search is not a job advert with a bigger fee. It is a map of who could actually do the role, a personal approach to each of them, and an honest assessment before anyone reaches your board. That is what Verity does, in four places.
Board, Chair and NED
Independent directors and Chairs for banks, lenders and fintechs, with the standing to challenge properly and still add something in the room.
CEO, COO and CFO
The executive team for a bank, lender or fintech, found among people already doing the job under UK scrutiny.
CRO, Risk, Audit and Compliance
The functions that keep the licence. Credibility with the PRA and FCA is part of the brief, not an afterthought.
Commercial leadership
Revenue and distribution leaders who understand the product and the conduct rules that come with it.
Not sure which of these your hire falls under? Neither are most people at the start. A call sorts it out faster than a form does.
Discuss a role with Ian02 — How Ian works
Smarter, fairer and more accountable. Here is what that means on a Tuesday afternoon.
Most senior searches are sold by a partner and run by someone you have never met. Progress comes as a monthly call and a shortlist that arrives when it arrives. Verity was built to be the opposite.
- 01
The person you brief runs the search.
Ian takes the brief, builds the map and makes the calls. There is no research team to hand it to. The name on the engagement letter is the name on the phone.
- 02
The map is built, not bought.
Data and technology find the whole market, including the people not looking; old-school headhunting brings them to the table. Market feedback and the search strategy are with you within five working days of instruction.
- 03
Progress is visible, not reported.
You see who has been mapped, approached and assessed as it happens — not in a summary at the end of the month. No surprise at week six.
- 04
Candidates get a straight answer.
Fairer for them means better for you: people who are prepared, told the truth and treated well arrive ready to say yes.
03 — About Ian
Twenty-eight years in, Ian built the firm he wanted to hire.
“28+ years in executive search, specialising in banking and financial services. Built Verity Search around transparency, quality and long-term relationships rather than high-volume recruitment.” That sentence is the whole business plan. Everything else on this site is how it works in practice.
04 — Track record
The work, with the names taken out
Executive search is confidential by nature, so the track record is described by sector and role rather than by client. Ask Ian about any of it on a call.
Book a call
Tell Ian about the role. He will tell you honestly whether he can fill it.
A 30–45 minute call, no deck, no pitch team. If the search is right for Verity, Ian sets out the strategy in writing within five working days.