Nerves on the Night:
‘The night I became a Rising Star’

Last year’s winner of the Deloitte Financial Services Rising Star award, ALISON RODGER of Lloyds Banking Group, recalls the excitement of her landmark performance.

Our challenge was to imagine how banking would change in tomorrow’s economic landscape. Specifically, we had to produce “innovative ideas” about how the industry and its business models might evolve over the next 10 years.

I wanted a different way to tell the story – so I presented it as though I was actually at work on September 23, 2019. It was a more fictitious approach which I’d brainstormed with colleagues. That’s how I came up with the idea.

My presentation was quite different from other contestants on the night and when I heard the others – I was third up – I did begin to wonder if I’d taken the right approach after all. All the finalists made intelligent points and they all seemed to have more experience of banking operations, whereas I came at it in a way which I think reflected my marketing background.

I had graduated in marketing and economics from Strathclyde University and became a Chartered Banker in 2008, not long after joining through the bank’s graduate programme.

My approach was to try and contrast my futuristic vision of banking conditions (see panel) with the present day, using evidence points to highlight current realities. I particularly remember the moment when I’d included a reference to Susan Rice being ‘Governor of the Bank of England’. I suddenly realised she was in the room so I was a bit worried about saying that, but I later heard she thought it was amusing!

I’m proud that I won it although I was very surprised on the night. On the same day as the final, I had an interview. The person who interviewed me was at the final, too, and I heard the next day that I’d got the job – although they assured me that they’d made their decision before the final.

What I do know is that Lloyds was very supportive, as were my colleagues. My line manager was very involved – I think it was probably good for us all to be able to focus on the event at time when there was a lot of uncertainty in the financial services environment.

Facing an audience of 100 or so people could have been a nerve-wracking experience but the Institute had set it all up to calm the nerves. It was very well organised. Having my sisters and husband there on the night really helped, too.

As for the future, I’d like to go on and do the CIM [marketing] qualification. I’m keen to do more as long as I can make the commitment.

“It’ll be like this in September 2019…”
Key points from Alison Rodger’s vision of banking a decade hence:

• We’re 10 years into a Conservative administration.
• The Labour Opposition is led by
Cherie Blair.
• Interest rates are back to “a more
normal 6%”.
• Bank of England Governor Susan Rice is praised for her “prudent strategy”.
• New banks lead with “trusted brands, technological expertise and comprehensive customer information”.
• Her CEO’s holographic update says Apple Bank has overtaken Boots FS in current accounts and customer ratings.
• Virtual team meetings are driven by video from homes, cars and hotel rooms.
• She checks her daily personal ratings with her portfolio of 2,000 customers.

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