Sebastian Mrotzek

Director of Operations at Finova | SMF 24 | Ex-PRA | Open to Non-Executive Director (NED) Roles

Greater London, England, United Kingdom

About

I’m an operations and governance leader with a career spanning regulated banking, software, startups, and public sector oversight. Currently Director of Operations at Finova, I lead cross-functional teams across IT, Security, Risk, Compliance, and Managed Services—driving operational resilience, service excellence, and regulatory alignment for financial services clients. My experience includes holding the SMF 24 designation in a UK bank, working at the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), and scaling operational capability in both start-up and enterprise environments. I bring a strong understanding of governance, risk, and transformation—underpinned by hands-on delivery and strategic leadership. Alongside my executive responsibilities, I’ve served as a member and chair of several management and board-level committees, including the Board Risk Committee, Executive Committee (ExCo), Projects and Systems Committee, Information Security Management Committee (ISMC), and multiple project boards. I’ve also led and participated in regulatory meetings, providing assurance and insight on operational and risk matters. These roles have deepened my boardroom acumen and strengthened my ability to provide strategic oversight and challenge. I’m now looking to complement my executive role with a Non-Executive Director (NED) position. I’m particularly interested in fintech, regtech, or mission-driven organisations where I can contribute board-level insight on operational strategy, regulatory compliance, and growth. Let’s connect if you’re building something ambitious and need a board member who blends governance rigour with operational pragmatism.

Experience

  • Director of Operations at finova
    Feb 2025 - Present · 1 yr 5 mos

    Leading operational resilience, service delivery, and regulatory alignment across Finova’s cloud platforms and managed services. I oversee cross-functional teams in IT, Security, Risk, Compliance, and Service Management—ensuring scalable, compliant operations for financial services clients.

  • Redwood Bank (4 yrs)
    • Chief Information and Technology Officer (SMF24)
      Jan 2024 - Dec 2024 · 1 yr

    • Director of Operations (SMF24)
      Apr 2021 - Jan 2024 · 2 yrs 10 mos

      SMF24 with responsibility for Operations and IT (Banking Operations, Credit Operations, Project Management, Third Party and Outsourcing, Operational Resilience, IT and Cyber Security, Property)

    • Programme Manager
      Jan 2021 - Apr 2021 · 4 mos

  • Deputy COO and Head of Banking Operations at Start-up Retail Bank
    Dec 2019 - Dec 2020 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Establishing a new cloud native retail bank. Overseeing the operations set up for on-boardung, financial crime, fraud and payment operations. Establishing the ecosystem and overseeing key vendor selection including: reg reporting, finance and HR. managing sections of the regulatory business plan. Managing the FCA IT assessment documentation.

  • Bank of England (4 yrs 9 mos)
    • Head of Change Management (PRA)
      May 2018 - Nov 2019 · 1 yr 7 mos

    • Chief Operating Officer, Banking Supervision (PRA)
      Mar 2015 - May 2018 · 3 yrs 3 mos

  • Lloyds Banking Group (2 yrs 6 mos)
    • Delivery Manager, SME & Mid Market Business Managment
      May 2014 - Mar 2015 · 11 mos

    • Business Manager, Transaction Banking
      Oct 2012 - May 2014 · 1 yr 8 mos