Head of Debt Capital Markets, UK

Job Description

Please note: this role is located in London, UK and is not a remote position.

Handelsbanken offers a genuinely different approach to banking. We are a local relationship bank providing bespoke, customer-led banking and wealth management services for personal and corporate customers.

Our branch teams build trusted, long-term relationships with customers in their local communities. With our decentralised ways of working, decisions are made in the branch, close to the customers. Teams decide who they work with and how best to support them, without short-term sales targets or bonus-driven incentives. Instead, we focus on doing what is right for the customer, even when that means prioritising long-term value over short-term profit.

This approach has underpinned our success for decades. Today, Handelsbanken holds the strongest credit rating among its peer banks, is independently recognised as Europe’s safest commercial bank, and is consistently ranked highly for customer satisfaction and relationship banking.

Our culture is values-led, shaped by trust, respect, and long-term thinking. We empower our people to use their expertise, make confident decisions and build long-term careers. We look for people who share our long- term vision, want to grow and want to make a meaningful impact in their local community and with the Bank.

Check our Handelsbanken website for further information

The opportunity

Handelsbanken Debt Capital Markets (DCM) advises on, markets, structures and executes solutions for larger and/or demanding financing needs. DCM operates across Handelsbanken (“HB”) Group’s geographical locations, with personnel in the UK, Sweden and Norway. In the UK, the City of London based activity focuses loans, supported by HB Group’s robust capitalization and strong credit rating.

We are now seeking a commercial, client focused, proactive and detail-oriented leader for our DCM UK function, who will oversee daily operations, originate, coach and continue to develop both the team and the business.

In our decentralised model, the work is always carried out in close cooperation with the local branch, with responsibility for the client and acting as the lender.

The recruitment is being done for purpose of succession, where the successful candidate will gradually take over responsibilities from the present team leader during the spring of 2027.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Leading and coaching the team, presently consisting of two experienced loan originators and an on-desk legal advisor, with potential to grow. The team head is part of DCM’s Global Management and the Branch Support & Advisory’s management team
• Provide strategic leadership to the UK Debt Capital Markets function, ensuring alignment with the Bank’s overall business strategy, risk appetite and long-term objectives
• Act as a senior adviser and key point of contact for the Bank’s management, districts, branches and relevant departments on all DCM-related matters
• Drive collaboration and alignment with the Handelsbanken Group DCM function and wider internal stakeholders
• Support the continued growth and development of the Bank’s larger corporate and real estate lending activities across the UK market
• Promote continuous improvement, operational effectiveness and strong governance across the function

Client & Transaction Leadership

• Support branches and Relationship Managers in delivering financing solutions to larger corporates, selected SMEs and larger real estate investment vehicles
• Work closely with branches to strengthen relationships with existing customers and support the development of new business opportunities
• Lead, structure, negotiate and execute complex financing transactions in a timely and effective manner
• Act as project lead on DCM-related transactions, engaging with senior client stakeholders including Treasurers, CFOs and CEOs, as well as banks, debt advisers, lawyers and other professional counterparts
• Ensure the Bank’s ESG and sustainability objectives are embedded within client relationships and financing solutions
• Build and maintain strong internal and external networks across relevant markets, sectors and product areas

Governance, Risk & Operational Oversight

• Ensure all transactions are executed in line with the Bank’s prevailing risk appetite, policies and credit principles
• Maintain a detailed understanding of related areas of the Bank and their operational interdependencies
• Ensure the function receives and manages the required data from internal stakeholders, Group functions and third-party providers to support local regulatory obligations and reporting requirements
• Actively promote and ensure adherence to the Bank’s Risk Management Framework (including sub-frameworks) and relevant risk and compliance policies and procedures, ensuring timely and appropriate escalation of concerns to relevant senior stakeholders
• Support robust governance, oversight and operational discipline across all DCM activities