Roger Kerridge (LGS 1976)
Risk Manager and Credit Underwriter, Lloyds Bank Plc
Your Loughborough Story
How has your time at Loughborough Grammar School influenced your life and career?
How to be confident but not arrogant, ambitious but not materialistic. Dealing with people at various levels within the Bank and externally has been a crucial part of the role. The School provided me with the confidence to do that. Above all it showed me how to behave with respect, good manners and integrity.
What do you wish you had known when you were in Sixth Form?
Not to be afraid of failure. Getting things wrong and learning from mistakes make us stronger and helps us grow in confidence and maturity.
What did you like most about school?
It effused a sense of respect and discipline.
Are you still in touch with your school friends or teachers today?
My contact with friends faded over the years as I became immersed and embroiled in my career. I have though reconnected with the School and met up with Bill Dyson who taught me Italian. I have also been in contact with Graham Campbell, my A-Level French teacher.
How would you describe LGS in three words?
Pride and character building.
Alumni Career Wisdom
Could you provide an outline of your job role?
The final 20 years of my career focussed primarily on lending to UK based businesses, specifically but not solely those involved in real estate, so property developers and investors.
What are your career highlights?
Achieving professional qualifications, including Law, Accountancy and Economics. Securing a branch management position, subsequently area manager. The most rewarding part of the job was securing a specialist role in Head Office as a Risk Manager which broadly involved assessing and agreeing multi £m propositions from clients to lend to their businesses.
What job search tips would you give to pupils looking for a career in your industry? What are employers looking for?
Capacity to interact with people at all levels. Analytical ability. Influencing skills, ability to drive decisions forward. Negotiation skills. People management and leadership.
Can you tell us about some of your fondest memories?
I have built a network of very close friends throughout my career with whom I remain in regular contact.
What ambitions would you still like to realise?
I retired 2 years ago after completing 45 years with the Bank, but have taken on a couple of voluntary roles including School Governor and advisory on a small real estate project. My interest on modern languages remains and I regularly study Italian. I have also completed an online course in Norwegian.