Senior Director | Risk & Assurance | Manchester & the UK
Alistair is a highly experienced recruitment leader with over 15 years’ experience operating across the UK and internationally. As Senior Director at Broster Buchanan, he leads the Risk Assurance and Professional Services functions nationally, from the Manchester office, partnering with organisations of all sizes to support complex and specialist hiring needs.
Known for his calm, consultative approach, Alistair specialises in niche markets where insight, credibility, and trust are critical. He works closely with clients and candidates across risk, governance, audit, and advisory functions, offering impartial advice and long-term support rather than transactional recruitment.
15+ years’ recruitment experience across the UK and international markets
National lead for Risk Assurance & Professional Services at Broster Buchanan
Specialist expertise across:
Risk & Controls
Compliance & Financial Crime
Internal, Technology & IT Audit
UK & US SOX programmes
ESG, Climate & Cyber Risk
Audit, Tax, Treasury & Advisory
A strong track record of building and scaling high-performing teams
Experience growing markets and teams in Germany and Switzerland
Clients consistently value Alistair’s ability to understand not just the technical requirements of a role, but the real-world context around it – culture, pace, risk appetite, and long-term ambition.
Whether supporting a start-up bank building its first risk function or advising global organisations on specialist assurance hires, Alistair is trusted for his depth of market knowledge, honesty, and commitment to quality. His approach is grounded in partnership, ensuring the right outcomes for both organisations and individuals.
Growing multiple recruitment teams into market leaders
Developing individuals from trainee level to recognised specialists
Leading and expanding teams internationally
Being part of Broster Buchanan’s journey from start-up to national consultancy
“Alistair was so on point in gathering detailed information – not just the role profile, but the real heart of what the candidate needed to be. Start-up life is about finding unique individuals, and Alistair understood that perfectly.”
– Allan Ellis, Hiring Manager 2025
“Their market knowledge and professional network really stood out. Out of 130+ applicants, the candidate we hired was exceptional.”
– Leon Carford, Hiring Manager 2024
Verified 5-star reviews from Broster Buchanan’s Google profile
Alistair enjoys keeping active and spending time outdoors. A keen trail runner, mountain biker, and hiker, he also owns a VW campervan which he puts to good use with his family whenever possible.
If you’re hiring within Risk Assurance or Professional Services – or looking for a recruitment partner who understands specialist markets at depth – Alistair offers experience, perspective, and a genuinely people-first approach.
Email: alistairillstone@brosterbuchanan.com
Call Alistair on 0330 2050288
Connect with Alistair on LinkedIn
