Operational Manager Review

My day to day role involves looking after a team of essential bankers in the ashford branch, and managing their performance on a daily basis. I help to support their growth and development as well as completing the likes of 121s and observations of their customer conversations. I also spend time in the other branches in the market, supporting them when they needs me.

I have learnt a large number of leadership skills and qualities throughout my programme thus far. In addition I have largely developed my customer service skills and my communication skills - both in terms of active listening and verbal communication. As well as this Barclays has really helped increase my networking skills and my confidence in meeting new people.

I do enjoy my programme, It has been a brilliant way to both study and gather valuable work place experience. Barclays has been a brilliant company to work for in terms of their support and guidance with my development. There is variety in my role and this makes sure that every day is different, and enjoyable.

The apprenticeship has not been very well organised. The Anglia Ruskin (Degree) side of the apprenticeship has always been fantastic and extremely well managed, we are supported and know what is expected. The Barclays side however has not been well run at all - we are left to our own devices, with no contact from the early careers team and no opportunity to voice our feedback. and up until very recently, we have not had an individual to contact re any concerns we are having. Now there is a new head of the Apprenticeship, Lesley Clarke, and she has been amazing and has begun having monthly 121s with us, which has helped dramatically.

I receive a lot of support from my branch network and my direct line manager and could not fault this is any way. In the first year and a half of the programme there was no support from the Early careers team, who look after the apprenticeship. This is in terms of the fact that we had very little contact with them and they didn't check in to see our progress. This has improved in recent months however.

Anglia Ruskin university have been amazing. we each have a dedicated personal tutor who we can contact if we have any issues or concerns. the study blocks are well organised and we are told about them a long time in advance. the lecturers are also very supportive and helpful with supporting the completion of assignments. I could not fault Anglia Ruskin.

My business management degree is proving hugely helpful in my work place role, especially now that I have moved into a leadership position. During the course we have learnt about leadership styles and theories which I have been able to put into practice in my day to day role at Barclays. The assignments I complete are also manly based upon Barclays/can be applied to Barclays and therefore makes writing my assignments much easier.

When I first started at Barclays I was based in the stratford branch, here there were a lot of extra curricular activities to get involved in. for example there was a branch football team and a lot of networking events. Since I have moved out of London and into the kent market I have found that there is not a huge range of extra curricular available.

Yes

Barclays is a company that is full of opportunities. Due to the size and scale of the company there is a work role or department which suits everybody. It is also a very rewarding company to work within and you truly do get out what you put in. In addition to this, Barclays is extremely diverse and inclusive and treats colleagues wellbeing as a priority :)

I would say to make sure that you cease every single opportunity which is available to you and then you will absolutely go far and have a great career at Barclays. Also make sure to network; reach out to lots of other colleagues within the business and learn about what they do.