Freddie Blake, Senior Prudential Risk Manager

I joined AlRayan Bank as a Senior Prudential Risk Manager earlier this year. My job is making sure that the Bank has the capital and liquidity it needs to meet its obligations, even if a stress like a financial crisis were to occur. 

In my day-to-day job, I provide 2nd line oversight of Finance and Treasury, working closely with these teams to ensure we follow our policies, procedures, meet regulatory requirements and achieve industry best practice. My role strikes a balance between discussions with colleagues on the finer points of capital regulation, with delivering high-level strategic analysis to senior management on balance sheet composition, funding mix and geopolitical risk.

It was this rewarding mix of qualitative and quantitative work that drew me to the role. There’s no shortage of challenges, but that’s what I enjoy; I’m always learning on the job, which keeps everything feeling fresh and stimulating. The Bank’s strong growth trajectory makes my role particularly interesting - I need to stay on top of a changing balance sheet and work to understand any future risks. After almost ten years at the regulator and in consultancy, I was itching to try something new.

My career began a decade ago on the Bank of England graduate scheme, where I held several roles over six years. After spending nearly a decade at the regulator and in consultancy, what made AlRayan Bank stand out for me was that it isn’t an identikit bank. It has a clear mission and purpose, grounded in Sharia compliant financing. This makes a real difference compared to standard retail banks, where the business is normally shaped by annual results. Here, it’s reinforced by a supportive environment that rewards hard work and collaboration.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep learning at a technical level. Drilling into the underlying numbers and their interpretations isn’t always easy, but that’s exactly what makes it rewarding - it pushes me to challenge myself and develop new skills. 

Work is never boring and I want to ensure that Prudential Risk continues to build relationships across the Bank and becomes more proactive and forward-looking, with a sharper focus on targeted assurance.