Meet our people

Video transcript

“My name is Marcus Barnes, I study Business Management in Company at Nottingham Trent University. I joined the Retail Development Programme for Barclays in September 2011.

So my experiences on my first rotation so far, joining Barclays and going into the co-ordinating role within branch in Derby, St. Peters. And it is a real great opportunity to get to understand the key roles within the branch and also to gain an understanding of what sort of customers Barclays see on a day-to-day basis and help out on a day-to-day basis. It also gave me a great opportunity to start to solve customers’ problems. And now, still as part of my first rotation, I have moved into the cashiering role which involves me cashiering 9 till 5 everyday and again helping customers with their day-to-day banking needs.

My highlight so far has to be the induction week into Barclays, so, brand new in, this was after my first year of University started. First day we were invited to head office in London and I was taken back because in are first meeting I was sat with some senior management, we also got to personally meet and greet senior management from day one, so it’s been a really exciting time.

I would say every day in Barclays in the branch you are developing yourself, because there’s just so much to learn. Every single customer that comes in has got something different to deal with and it is every day you learn how to come over that problem and when a customer comes to you, and tells you their problem, you need to own that and to solve that yourself in-branch.

I choose to work for Barclays because every since a young age I wanted to be in retail banking and customer service is something that excites me. I really like to be able to help people with their needs. And also I liked to make peoples day that little bit better and obviously finance is a big worry to people. And every single day you get that opportunity to do that, and that in itself is enough for me to want to go to work in the morning.

I’d recommend the Retail Development Programme to future candidates, purely because it is a very well structured programme that launches you into a Barclays career and fast-tracks you ahead of any of your University peers – it is putting you a good two years ahead of people on similar management degrees back at University.”

Video transcript

“I am Ellisa Cryan, and I am on the Retail Development Programme, I started in September 2011, I currently work at the Lowestoft branch and I study with Anglia Ruston University.

My highlight to date must be seeing a different side of banking, this was through our work with the community and also raising money for Children In Need. We raised £5,000, which was matched pound for pound, and it was also a really good team building exercise with our personal bankers dressed up as Teletubbies.

I have been able to develop myself by being constantly pushed out of my comfort zone, although this seems daunting I am giving all the support I need to be able to do this, this has allowed me to reach my full potential.

I choose to work for Barclays because it is a respectable company with a global presence. In addition, the UK branch network also has many opportunities and they will always push you to be your best.

I would recommend the Retail Development Programme because it is the best of both worlds. Barclays sponsor you through a degree and you’re also given three years of invaluable work experience, which allows you to be fast-tracked into management.”

Video transcript

“Hi, I’m Heather. I’m in my second year on the RDP Programme, and currently Assistant Manager at Preston Branch.

I chose to come to Barclays because it’s a really reputable company. It’s well-known globally through its sponsorship of the Premier League and also through its work with various different charities.

My highlight to date would be when my cohort did a presentation on entrepreneurships to Area Directors and Branch Managers, and the Managing Director of the Network came along. He was really supportive and at the end, stayed behind to share his feedback and it really made all the hard work worthwhile for us.

Initially, I was attracted to the Barclays brand, even though I didn’t know that much about banking. When I started to go through the application process, I started to realise that the customer was at the heart of everything Barclays was about, which really suited me because I am a peoples-person. Also the development opportunities that were offered through the Programme were really amazing and I couldn’t have got them anywhere else.

I would recommend Barclays to anybody. I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to develop your career, to start earning a wage and to get a sponsored degree at the same time. Throughout my time on the programme, I’ve had a lot of support with time management, being able to balance the studying and the working full-time.

Once every two weeks I have a day out of the branch, where I can spend time on my studying. Another factor that really helps is the fact that my degree work relates to my work within the branch, so I can really bring my studying to life.

The Programme has provided me with amazing development opportunities. I started off as a Cashier and I’ve developed through the roles. I’ve been an Operational Specialist, which looks after the operations of the counter. I’ve been a personal banker, so providing customers with solutions to their needs, and I’m now an Assistant Manager, looking after both counter PBs, and the overall running of the Branch.

My journey’s been amazing and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help from the Programme.”