Meet Oliver Shearer, an Essential Banker for Barclays Edgware Road.
1Can you explain your role in one sentence?My role involves looking after the everyday banking needs of our Edgware Road customers.
2How long have you been doing this job?Eight months. I fortunately started with Barclays back in March, right before we went into the first lockdown. Before this, I was working as a ‘Client Relationship Specialist’ supporting businesses to run background checks on prospective employees.
3Did you find yourself in this role by accident or by design?By design. I have always been interested in banking, but I opted not to go to university. Having already gained experience in customer relationship management, this role seemed the perfect way to a begin my career in finance. I hope to be able to keep developing myself and eventually move into investment management.
4What’s the best part about your job?The satisfaction you get when supporting a customer to achieve their desired outcome. Over the last eight months I have really enjoyed being able to help our vulnerable members access and utilise our online services.
5What’s the strangest thing that has ever happened to you in your job?One of our key responsibilities is to protect our customers from online fraudsters. You do come across some very strange romantic scams from time to time.
6What do you enjoy doing when you are not at work?I am a social person and really enjoy spending time with my family and friends. On the weekends you will normally find me out on a muddy rugby pitch playing for my local team in St Albans. I am very much looking forward to when matches can resume safely.
7What do you like about this area?The diversity of Marble Arch. You get to meet people from all different walks of life. I am also a big fan of Arabic food and there are several great restaurants right next to the bank.
8Where’s your favourite place to go for lunch in the local area?During lockdown, we have all been receiving a daily £5 lunch contribution from work. My colleagues and I have made a conscious effort to support local independent restaurants and my favourite place so far is Maroush Gardens. Their takeaway Lamb Shawarma wrap is amazing.
9Who is YOUR hero and what is it about them that inspires you?My Dad. He left school at the age of 15 with only a few O Levels to his name and managed to work his way up the career ladder. He now owns his own successful consultancy firm. Having not gone to university either, I find his career journey really inspiring.
10If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?It would have to Buenos Aires (Argentina). I have some distant relatives that have their own ranch just outside the city. I would love to combine a trip where I saw the family and did some exploring of Argentina. The landscape is hugely varied and meant to be beautiful.