The Chief Risk Officer role commands premium compensation in financial services, reflecting regulatory importance and strategic significance. According to the [Robert Half 2026 UK Salary Guide](https://www.roberthalf.com/gb/en/job-details/chief-risk-officer-cro), CRO salaries range from **£125,000 to £183,750** with a median of **£154,500**.

[Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/london-united-kingdom-chief-risk-officer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,21_IM1035_KO22,40.htm) reports London CRO salaries averaging **$261,353** (approximately £205,000), reflecting the premium for global financial centre roles.

With bonuses and equity, total compensation can **double the base salary**, making CRO one of the highest-paid C-suite positions in financial services.

Robert Half provides detailed benchmarks across risk disciplines:

**Market Risk Management:** - Senior Manager: £73,000-£87,250 - Manager: £62,000-£71,000 - Analyst: £39,750-£53,000

**Credit Risk Management:** - Senior Manager: £68,750-£89,500 - Manager: £52,250-£66,250 - Analyst: £34,250-£51,250

**Operational Risk Management:** - Senior Manager: £71,250-£84,500 - Manager: £54,500-£71,500 - Analyst: £36,500-£51,250

Director/Head roles add 40-60% premium to senior manager salaries.

Fractional CRO arrangements offer compelling economics for regulated businesses:

**Cost comparison (1 day per week)**: - Fractional CRO: £1,000-£1,500/day × 52 weeks = **£52,000-£78,000/year** - Full-time CRO: £154,500 salary + 30% benefits = **£200,850/year** - **Savings: £120,000+ annually**

Fractional CROs deliver enterprise risk framework development, regulatory compliance oversight, board risk reporting, and risk culture enhancement without full-time overhead.