The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
VP, Commercial Banking (Large Corporate/Specialised Lending)
3-5 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Managing complex client relationships, structuring sophisticated credit facilities, leading deal teams, developing a deep understanding of specific industry sectors, and demonstrating strong P&L contribution.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeding individual and team revenue targets.
- Successful leadership of multi-million-pound deals.
- Strong internal network and influence across Credit and Product teams.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop junior bankers.
- 2
Head of Specialised Lending (e.g., Real Estate, Asset Finance)
4-6 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Deep expertise in a niche lending area, managing a dedicated team, developing product strategies, navigating complex regulatory landscapes specific to that sector, and building a strong market presence.
You're ready to move on when
- Proven track record of growing a specialised lending portfolio profitably.
- Expertise recognised across the bank and externally in the chosen specialism.
- Successful management of a full P&L for a specialised lending unit.
- Ability to innovate and adapt product offerings to market needs.
- 3
Regional Sales Director (Large Corporate/Business Banking)
5-7 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Leading large sales teams, developing and executing regional sales strategies, driving new business acquisition, managing sales pipeline and forecasting, and strong client relationship management at a senior level.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistent achievement of aggressive sales targets across multiple teams.
- Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and retain top sales talent.
- Strong analytical skills for sales performance management and market analysis.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills at a senior level.