First Derivative is driven by people, data, and technology, unlocking the value of insight, hindsight, and foresight to drive organizations forward. Counting many of the world’s leading investment banks as clients, we help our clients navigate the data-driven, digital revolution that is transforming the financial services sector. Our global teams span across 15 offices serving clients across EMEA, North America and APAC.
As an EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM) company, a leading global provider of digital platform engineering and development services, we deliver advanced financial services solutions by empowering operational insights, driving innovation, and enabling more effective risk management in an increasingly data-centric world. Together with EPAM, we combine deep industry expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients stay ahead in a rapidly evolving financial landscape, offering comprehensive solutions that drive business transformation and sustainable growth.
We are seeking an experienced and knowledgeable Financial Securities SME with a strong background in Central Securities Depository (CSD) to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of financial market infrastructure in the UK.
This role offers a unique opportunity to provide subject matter expertise on the lifecycle of Bonds and UK Gilts, contributing to the design and development of a Digital Securities Depository (DSD) that integrates traditional market practices with innovative technologies.
This position allows you to apply domain expertise to support product design, regulatory collaboration, and market outreach, ensuring the DSD aligns with market expectations, regulatory standards, and operational realities. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of the UK’s financial market infrastructure — while not requiring prior experience in digital assets or blockchain.

REQUIREMENTS

• 5+ years of experience working within or closely with a Central Securities Depository (CSD) or similar financial institution
• Proficiency in post-trade processes, asset servicing, and settlement operations for Bonds and UK Gilts
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks, compliance standards, and legal considerations relevant to UK securities depositories
• Expertise in traditional securities lifecycles, including corporate actions, custody, and settlement services
• Background in supporting or designing Target Operating Models for financial market infrastructures
• Familiarity with financial technologies such as SWIFT, ISO 20022 messaging standards, and centralised ledger systems
• Understanding of end-to-end processes for issuance and handling of Bonds and UK Gilts within UK market conventions
• Showcase of effective collaboration with diverse teams, including product, legal, and IT teams
• Capability to engage confidently with regulators, stakeholders, and senior executives to drive alignment on strategic objectives

• Provide subject matter expertise on the lifecycle of Bonds and UK Gilts, covering issuance, settlement, custody, and corporate actions to inform the design of a Digital Securities Depository
• Collaborate with product, technology, and legal teams to translate traditional CSD functions into digital solutions while maintaining regulatory and market alignment
• Contribute to defining the target operating model for the DSD, including participant roles, post-trade workflows, and asset servicing processes
• Support regulatory engagement to ensure that the DSD’s compliance framework aligns with UK market regulations and guidelines
• Engage with market participants, including issuers, custodians, and investors, to validate and refine assumptions, features, and the overall product strategy
• Provide input on risk management frameworks and settlement procedures for the DSD to maintain resilience and operational continuity
• Assist in identifying key pain points in traditional CSD systems and proposing innovative digital solutions to address them
• Share expertise on corporate actions processing and custody practices within the context of securities depositories
• Collaborate on market outreach and communications to build awareness and understanding of the Digital Securities Depository initiative across stakeholders
• Support internal teams in preparing business cases, documentation, and educational materials relating to the DSD’s services