Helping everyone Prosper

Helping everyone Prosper 

I’ve recently celebrated my fifteen year anniversary working at Lloyds and what started as a weekend job through University answering calls has turned into a career full of learning, development and opportunity.  

I started in one of our contact centres working on Saturdays and Sundays and by the time I finished University, I knew I wanted to remain in Lloyds and progress my skills further. The colleagues you meet and the customers you help stay with you and you quickly develop a sense of ownership and pride in what you do. Many of the colleagues I met in the contact centre I’m still in touch with today.  

I moved into the branch network where I worked as a Bank Manager serving one of the most remote branches in Argyll. This allowed me to see the importance of us being there for customers and local business. You’re the face of the brand, and I wore my Bank of Scotland name badge and uniform with pride. 

After a few years, I progressed, working within our Payments and latterly Markets teams. The level of change and innovation across our industry is mind-blowing. No two days are the same and it was my role during these years to ensure colleagues were brought on that journey. From supporting large corporate deals to ensuring the ATMs have cash ready for local events (learnings I took from my time in the branch). Our operational teams are right at the centre of making things happen for customers. 

It’s the people who make Lloyds 

People truly make Lloyds. No matter where I’ve been, my journey has been focused on servicing our customers and colleagues. Our colleagues are very much our secret sauce and the culture of growth, inclusion and sustainability make you feel you’re making a real difference within the communities we serve.  

So, after fifteen years, where am I? Well, I’ve gone from answering the phones to managing a team of 200 colleagues across London, Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh and India. We look after business and corporate customers servicing tasks including Mandates, change of information, debit card ordering and audit letters. We also support with a critical moment for customers, bereavements. Making sure we get this right and provide the appropriate care and compassion for customers is important for us all.   

A career full of learning 

During my time here, Lloyds has supported me through my Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship at Henley Business School - allowing me to grow my leadership and management skills, gaining first-hand experience alongside the knowledge gained. I’ve continued my development and I’m currently studying towards my Level 7 Senior Manager Apprenticeship. This will give me the option to continue beyond towards an MBA.  

I firmly believe if you stand still, you’ll be left behind, it’s been so reassuring to work for a company that has invested in my own development. I’m a huge advocate of apprenticeships to the point I helped to create a specific Apprenticeship for markets operations colleagues during my time in the business. We had over 50 colleagues go through this Level 6 path, many of whom have gone on to proper both internally and externally – that is incredibly rewarding to see.  

The world around us moves at rapid pace and we need to do the same. Having the backing of Lloyds is allowing not only Britain to Prosper but also colleagues.