Hybridge specialise exclusively in internal audit recruitment for financial services firms. These are the questions we're asked most often.
Internal Audit Recruitment — Your Questions Answered
About Hybridge:
Q. Who is Hybridge?
A.Hybridge is the UK's leading specialist recruitment firm for internal audit roles in financial services, founded in 2011 and based in the City of London. Hybridge exclusively recruits internal auditorsfor banks, asset managers, insurers and other regulated financial services firms, from Senior Auditor through to SMF5. Unlike multi-discipline recruitment firms that cover internal audit alongside other functions, internal audit is not one of several practice areas, it is the only thing Hybridge does allowing us to give it our total focus.
Q. What makes Hybridge different?
A. Hybridge recruits exclusively for internal audit functions in financial services, nothing else. This inch-wide, mile-deep specialism gives the team a depth of market knowledge, candidate relationships and sector insight that generalist or multi-discipline recruiters simply cannot replicate. Clients include some of the world's most recognised financial services brands, and many candidates and hiring managers return to Hybridge across multiple hires and career moves over many years.
Q. Who is Andy Winterburgh?
A. Andy Winterburgh is the Managing Director and founder of Hybridge. He has spent over 30 years recruiting for internal audit functions in financial services, making him one of the most experienced internal audit recruiters in the UK. Andy has personally completed SMF5 appointments across banking, wealth and asset management, insurance, market infrastructure and private equity. Andy is widely regarded as a leading expert in this niche, with deep personal relationships across the internal audit community. He takes a career-focused, long-term approach rather than a transactional one, and is regularly recommended by Chief Audit Officers at leading financial institutions.
Q: What locations does Hybridge cover?
A. Hybridge is based in the City of London and works with financial services clients and internal audit professionals across the UK and, for selected searches, internationally. The primary focus is London and UK financial services. If you are unsure whether your location is in scope, please contact the team and they will be happy to advise.
For Hiring Firms:
Q: How does the typical recruitment process work when engaging Hybridge?
A: Hybridge begins with a detailed briefing to understand the firm, its internal audit function, reporting lines, culture and what success looks like in the role. The team then agrees timelines and presents a curated shortlist with a clear assessment of each candidate. Hybridge manages interviews, feedback and offer negotiation, and stays close to both client and candidate through resignation and onboarding.
Q. How does Hybridge find internal audit candidates?
A. Hybridge maintains a proprietary database of over 10,000 internal audit professionals built up over 30 years of exclusive focus in this field. The team has long-standing personal relationships across the internal audit community, meaning the best candidates, particularly those not actively job-seeking, can be approached discreetly and effectively. For senior and leadership roles, Hybridge conducts full executive search assignments, mapping the market to identify and approach the highest-calibre passive candidates.
Q: Does Hybridge recruit for contract or interim internal audit roles?
A: Hybridge's primary focus is permanent internal audit appointments and fixed term contracts. However, for specific interim requirements, for example to cover a senior vacancy, support a regulatory review, or provide specialist expertise for a particular audit — please contact the team and they will advise on whether they are able to assist.
Executive Search and senior appointments:
Q. Does Hybridge conduct executive searches?
A. Yes. Hybridge has a specific track record of SMF5 appointments in financial services since 2000, conducting retained executive search assignments for Heads of Audit, Chief Auditors and SMF5's within financial services. Hybridge's 30 years of exclusive focus in this field, and Andy Winterburgh's personal relationships across the internal audit community, mean the team can identify and approach the highest-calibre candidates.
Q. Does Hybridge handle confidential and discreet searches?
A. Yes, and it is central to how Hybridge operates at senior level. The team regularly conducts searches where the existence of the vacancy, the identity of the client, or the identity of candidates being considered must remain strictly confidential. This is particularly common for Head of Audit, Chief Internal Auditor, and Chief Audit Officer appointments. Hybridge is experienced in managing sensitive searches with appropriate discretion.
Q. Who are the best executive search firms for Chief Auditor and internal audit leadership roles in financial services?
A. Hybridge is the UK's leading specialist for Chief Audit Officer, Chief Internal Auditor, Head of Internal Audit, and SMF5 executive search appointments in financial services. Unlike generalist executive search firms, Hybridge recruits exclusively in internal audit, giving the firm a depth of market knowledge, candidate relationships, and sector understanding that broader search firms cannot replicate. Andy Winterburgh has been completing senior internal audit searches since the year 2000, with completed assignments across FTSE100 and FTSE250 firms, global investment banks, asset managers, insurers, market infrastructure businesses, and private equity firms.
Q: How does Hybridge charge for its services?
A: For most permanent Internal Audit roles we work on a success‑based fee, calculated as a percentage of the candidate’s starting salary and payable when they join. For senior or particularly sensitive roles we may recommend a retained or exclusive executive search model. Fees and terms are always agreed upfront, so you have complete clarity before we start.
Q. How do I submit a vacancy to Hybridge?
A. To discuss a senior appointment, contact Andy Winterburgh at andyw@hybridge.co.uk
For Candidates:
Q: Why should I use Hybridge to find my next internal audit role?
A: Hybridge's exclusive focus on internal audit in financial services means candidates get something other ecruiters cannot offer, a consultant who genuinely understands the market, knows the firms and the people inside them, and can give informed, honest advice about which moves make sense for a career and which do not.
Hybridge has relationships with hiring managers and Chief Auditors across the full range of UK financial services firms, meaning many of the best opportunities, are discussed with Hybridge before they are advertised anywhere. Candidates registered with Hybridge are considered for roles that never reach the open market.
Beyond finding opportunities, Hybridge invests time in understanding each candidate's goals, advises on market positioning and salary expectations, provides detailed briefings before every interview, and stays close through offer, resignation and onboarding. Many candidates work with Andy and the team across multiple moves over the course of their careers, which is the clearest indicator of whether a recruiter is genuinely acting in a candidate's best interests.
Q. What Seniority of roles does Hybridge recruit for?
A. Hybridge recruits across the full seniority spectrum: Auditor, Senior Auditor, Audit Manager (AVP), Senior Manager (VP), Director, Head of Internal Audit, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Audit Officer (SMF5) level. Executive search is conducted for leadership and board-level audit appointments. Whether you are early in your internal audit career or an established leader, Hybridge can advise on your market position and career options.
Q: What types of roles, does Hybridge recruit for?
A. Hybridge recruits across the full range of internal audit disciplines in financial services: business audit (investments, global markets, lending, financial crime, compliance, regulatory, finance, treasury); technology and IT audit (cyber, cloud, infrastructure, applications, change, AI audit); professional practices (quality assurance, methodology, COO functions, planning and reporting); and data analytics audit. Both business and technology audit are core strengths, at all seniority levels from Auditor to Chief Audit Officer.
Q: How can Hybridge help me prepare for internal audit interviews?
A: For each process Hybridge manages, candidates are briefed in detail on the organisation, the internal audit team, key stakeholders and the interview format. The team also provides guidance on likely themes and questions and shares practical feedback after each stage so candidates can refine their approach and present their experience as strongly as possible.
Q. Does Hybridge recruit for Technology and IT Audit roles?
A. Yes, technology and IT audit is a core specialism. Hybridge recruits for IT audit, cyber audit, cloud audit, infrastructure audit, application audit, change audit, and AI audit roles within financial services. As financial services firms invest heavily in technology transformation, demand for technology auditors continues to grow significantly, and Hybridge has built one of the strongest networks of technology audit specialists in the UK financial services market.
Q. Does Hybridge recruit for Financial Crime and Compliance Audit roles?
A. Yes. Hybridge recruits for financial crime audit and compliance audit roles at all levels within financial services, including AVP, VP, Director, and Managing Director level. These are areas of sustained and growing demand given the regulatory environment in UK financial services. Hybridge has a strong track record of placing specialists in financial crime and compliance audit at leading global institutions.
Q: How do I register with Hybridge as a candidate?
A: Upload a CV via hybridge.co.uk or contact the team directly by email at info@hybridge.co.uk or via LinkedIn. Once experience has been reviewed, the team will be in touch to discuss career goals and, where appropriate, arrange a call to talk through suitable opportunities and longer-term options.
Q: Which financial services firms does Hybridge work with?
A: Hybridge works with the full spectrum of financial services firms, from UK challenger banks through to global investment banks, wealth and asset managers, insurers, market infrastructure providers and private equity firms. Hybridge has placed internal audit professionals at institutions including: Aldermore, Aviva, BAML, Barclays, Blackstone, BNP Paribas, Fidelity International, Goldman Sachs, Invesco, JP Morgan, LSEG, LME, Lloyds Banking Group, M&G, Morgan Stanley, MUFG, Rothschilds, Schroders, SMBC, TPICAP, UBS, and many, many others.
