31 JANUARY 2023
EARLY RETIREMENT AFTER ALMOST 38 YEARS
Today is my last working day at HSBC UK Bank having accepted an opportunity to take early retirement on 2nd May after nearly 38 years with the bank.
At 10am on the 8th July 1985 I walked through the doors of the Monmouth branch of what was then Midland Bank, a fresh just out of school 18 year old in a new grey M&S suit! It was an inauspicious start with the manager having had a heart attack the day before! My introduction to banking was spent over the next two days in the dusty basement cellar tidying up boxes and boxes of cheques and papers, occasionally popping up to make tea and coffee for the staff!
After spells at Monmouth, Cwmbran and Newport, I moved to Bridgend, living with my brother, to take up a newly created mortgage manager role as the bank first seriously ventured in to the mortgage market.
A Branch Manager role at Caldicot was my next stepping stone to gaining my first “Appointment” in 1998, Merchant Services Sales Manager, placing card machines into local business across South, Mid and West Wales. On-line shopping was in its infancy! In September 2004 I joined our newly expanded Corporate Banking team in Bristol and have spent the last 18 years in various roles in Bristol and Cardiff.
My last and perhaps most enjoyable role came to an end on 3rd January 2023 and with it an opportunity to take early retirement, perhaps a year earlier than I had expected and indeed hoped for.
What next? Enjoy the next 3 months with plenty of cycling (contemplating expanding my experiences of long distance cycling in to the world of ultra distance events!) Start various long overdue house projects, and as a house husband probably annoying my wife & kids even more! I’ve enrolled in a 26 week course to start learning Welsh, 1st lesson is tomorrow! Planning to develop my culinary skills, joined local speed-watch team, litter clearing group and evaluating opportunities for part-time work later the year. May even play the odd game of cricket with my son!
It’s been an amazing journey with one company. I’ve met and helped so many wonderful customers , and made long lasting friendships with colleagues and professionals in corporate banking market in Cardiff. Thank you to each and everyone of you all.
Sad.. yes but extremely proud of my career and very happy to begin the next part of my life to spend more time with my wife, kids and dogs (oh yes….. and with my bikes!)
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