Barclays to recruit 100 techno staff
BANKING giant Barclays has revealed plans to recruit 100 new technology staff in Manchester.
The software developer roles will be based at 3 Hardman Street in Spinningfields.
The roles will build on the group’s investment in banking technology and link up with Radbroke Hall, near Knutsford, its epicentre for global ground-breaking advances for 46 years.
The recruitment is being spearheaded by Graham Bastin, chief information officer [CIO] for digital banking and omnichannel, who is overseeing the next generation of developments including fingerprint technology and potential applications using Amazon’s Alexa.
Based out of an office in Spinningfields, their role will be to enhance and improve Barclays’ awardwinning mobile banking app, which is used by six million customers.
“There’s a vibrance in Manchester at the moment and a centre of gravity for technology that I want to be part of,” Mr Bastin said.
“At the moment, for us, the sweet spot is digital and mobile banking. That will grow for definite. That’s where we are investing.
“I think we can achieve that in Manchester. If we do that well, then I think we can leverage the asset here and complement what we have in Manchester.”
Bastin’s plan is to refurbish half of a floor at 3 Hardman Street – where some of its corporate bank, wealth and back office staff are – and make it a ‘cool place to work’ with beanbags and table football for starters.
“I spent quite a bit of time at Google and Facebook in California when the bank was encouraging me to make this cultural change to attract the very talent we are talking about,” Mr Bastin explained.
“If you are a developer you want to come into a workspace where it feels great to work.
“If you are a developer and you are looking at your career choices, you might think about a start-up, or a Google or Facebook. Would a big corporate or bank be at the forefront of your mind? Probably not, not unless we tell the story properly.
“We are a tech company and our tech is used by millions of people.
“If you’re really into Java development or iOS, and that’s the thing that floats your boat when you wake up in the morning, I can offer you all that, plus a lot of people are using our tech every day.
“I think I can get access to that sort of talent in abundance from Manchester city centre.
“If I tap into a rich vein of talent, which I suspect I will, then I won’t just stop at 100. I am going after the first 100 but then see where it goes.”