Agricultural sector banker unhitches his harness
A BANKER who specialised in Kintyre’s farming sector has retired to plough a new furrow in Kelso.
John Cruickshanks joined the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) as a 17-year-old, straight from school and has remained with the now state-owned bank for the whole of his 48year career.
Mr Cruickshanks, 64, a senior specialist in agricultural business, said: ‘I joined after school in Kirkcudbright with some Highers as a bank clerk and passed exams to become a senior clerk.
‘Now the expectation of staying 48 years with one bank is increasingly unlikely.
Restructures
‘I have been a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers Scotland for 40 years and have seen five RBS restructures in my time.’
In 1986, Mr Cruickshanks moved to the RBS branch at Bowmore on Islay and lived in the flat above the bank. His eldest son was four weeks old and, during a decade on the island, his other three children were born.
‘Islay was an excellent place to start our family because the community looks after its own and supported our young family,’ added Mr Cruickshanks, ‘I was secretary of the Islay, Jura and Colonsay agricultural show for 11 years.
‘The enjoyment at the bank has been working with people and my customers. In country areas people still ap- preciate face to face contact.’
As an agricultural finance specialist, Mr Cruickshanks has spent 20 years with RBS supporting the Royal Highland Show but says that all his tales from Ingliston will have to remain ‘off piste’.
Despite a move to Kelso in the Scottish Borders about 20 years ago, Mr Cruickshanks has retained his links with Argyll and the Isles and has spent three days a month in the region. This role will be taken on by his successor, Clark M Robertson, a relationship manager in Ayr.
Mr Cruickshanks will have plenty to do in retirement – a grandson has just been born, he is involved with Dalkeith Agricultural Show and is a director of Kelso Rugby Club and ice rink.