Goodbye and Hello

Today is my last day with Lloyds Banking Group. Its been an interesting couple of years, and in that time, we've built what I'd call a "pretty good" innovation group. Its done some really leading things, like Innovation Market which now has a couple of copies in other institutions around the world. And of course, it has provided a fertile ground for material for Future-proofing, which is out next week.

Whilst most things come to an end eventually, innovation at the bank is not one of them. There is a highly competent team in place, one more than able to carry on the work we've started. Of course, in the context of the major merger presently under way, the kinds of innovation one can do is necessarily different than if you had a clear playing field. The team, however, will add their contribution of uniqueness to that process as they have always done.

This is also my last day as a card carrying banker, as I've accepted a role with the UK's largest government department, the DWP. I'm not entirely leaving financial services, though, as the department is one of the biggest makers of payments in the country, as well as being accountable for pensions. In the department, I'll have innovation, strategy and architecture responsibilities.

I'll be continuing this blog, and retaining the Bankervision title. I'll continue to comment on banking related matters as well, but you can expect to hear much more on innovation and technology. It should be an interesting transition.

Anyway, so I start with the department on Monday. I'd anticipate at least a week of no blogging from me while I get the lay of the land sorted out and work out what I can and can't say here. When you start a new job, that's always something that can be tricky. Every organisation has different boundaries, but rest assured I'll be back shortly.

In the meantime, thank you everyone whose been reading for the last three years, and I hope you'll continue to read me for a few more years to come. I can promise some interesting discussions, and, now that I am no longer employed directly by a bank, much broader commentary on things I felt constrained to avoid before.

See you in a week, or perhaps a bit less.

Comments

[Jeff]

Good luck in your new role and I look forward to receiving a broader perspsective of postings from you.

[Annalie Killian]

What a wonderful piece of news that we will still be able to enjoy your irreverent observations and bald-faced truths here! Thanks for all the sharing, connections and personal friendship over the past 3 years via this blog and more recently in person. Wishing you stimulating challenges, open-minded and receptive leaders, a creative environment and respectful colleagues to complement your vision, drive and lateral thinking in the new role.

[Prashanth]

Good luck james.

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Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the dumb understand.