TheBanker.com · 23 Oct, 05:09 · Technology briefing

Barclays boss tells staff ‘we cannot stand in the way of technology’

Barclays’ chief executive has explicitly instructed staff that the bank must not obstruct technological advancement.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

30%premium for professionals who pair domain skills with tech fluency

3.5xfaster skill turnover — staying current is the moat

74%of employers fund staff who self-start upskilling

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Barclays’ chief executive has explicitly instructed staff that the bank must not obstruct technological advancement. This directive signals a decisive strategic pivot towards digital acceleration, prioritising efficiency and innovation over traditional operational inertia. The statement implies that employees who resist or fail to adapt to new systems may find their roles increasingly marginalised. For banking professionals, this confirms that legacy processes are being actively dismantled. The organisation is clearly positioning itself to leverage modern tools, demanding that its workforce align with this technological trajectory to remain relevant and effective within the evolving financial services landscape.

Employer demand for AI in Banking skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must adapt immediately if you work in financial services. Traditional banking roles are shrinking, while demand for digital fluency surges. Your next career move should focus on bridging the gap between finance and technology. Prioritise learning how artificial intelligence transforms banking operations, as this skill set will define your employability. Do not ignore data literacy; it is now a core requirement, not a niche bonus. Smart professionals will upskill in AI applications specific to banking to lead change rather than resist it. If you cling to legacy methods, you risk obsolescence. Instead, position yourself as a digital enabler who understands both regulatory constraints and technological potential. This proactive approach ensures you remain indispensable in an increasingly automated industry.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are AI in Banking, Data Science, Digital Marketing and Risk Management Strategies — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.