Barclays Bank’s digital pioneer gives guest lecture
Fri, 17 Apr 2015 09:34:00 BST
Steven Roberts, now a visiting professor at the University, is regarded as one of the UK’s most innovative bankers
ONE of the UK’s most innovative bankers – a pioneer of digital technology – is to give a special lecture at the University of Huddersfield, where he is a visiting professor.
For the past 25 years, Steven Roberts (pictured) has worked for Barclays Bank. It marked its 325th anniversary in 2015, but Professor Roberts has helped ensure that the bank has met the very modern challenges of what he terms the Digital Revolution.
When he gives his public lecture on Monday 20 April (6pm), he will describe the innovations that have helped Barclays to thrive in the digital age. For example, in his current role as Strategic Transformation Director, Professor Roberts is responsible for the award-winning Digital Eagles initiative, which has resulted in over 12,000 members of staff in Barclays branches providing free technology help and advice. This has now extended internationally, with a further 20,000 Digital Eagles across Africa and Europe.
Professor Roberts and his team were also responsible for the implementation of free wi-fi across all 1,500 branches in the UK and other innovations have included talking ATMs, mobile phone cheque imaging technology, instant account opening and instant lending for business customers.
Steven Roberts is also on the board of iDEA, an initiative launched by HRH The Duke of York, the University’s Patron, and Nominet Trust that supports 14-25 year olds in developing their ideas into successful digital business ventures.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, Professor Bob Cryan, is also a board member and the University is an iDEA Centre of Excellence. The link has led to Steven Roberts being appointed by the University as Visiting Professor in Technology, Behaviours and Information Strategy and the April 20 lecture will inaugurate his new position.
The University’s Head of Informatics, Dr Rupert Ward, is delighted with the appointment of Professor Roberts, describing him as “a real innovator”. His expertise in technology and information strategy can help to develop students and staff and point the way to further collaborations between the University and the business sector, added Dr Ward.
- The lecture is entitled How does a 325 year-old bank survive and thrive in the digital revolution? and it takes place on Monday 20 April (6-8pm) in the University’s Sir George Buckley Lecture Theatre. The lecture is free and open to all. Further details and registration can be obtained at http://www.hud.ac.uk/ce/events/howdoesa325yearoldbanksurviveandthriveinthedigitalrevolution.php.
