James Scott

I was lucky to join HSBC on an eight-week summer internship and that ignited my interest in the sector. It was a great foundation and provided me with the springboard to join the bank on their undergraduate scheme. After 18 months on the scheme, I applied for a full-time role and have been here ever since.

In a nutshell, my role is helping UK companies import and export products and services. I have a portfolio of clients who I look after but I’m also tasked with bringing new business to the bank, as well as pitching new ideas and solutions to clients. I love that no two days are the same and I work with such a variety of clients who each have different requirements. It’s about having the ability to adapt and develop relationships quickly with clients who have put their trust in us and have been with us for many years (in some cases multi-generational families). It’s a privilege to be at the forefront of their challenges and provide solutions to help them on their journey.

Working for HSBC has a huge appeal because it’s such an established and international bank. That gives you confidence that we’re good at what we do, but it provides so many opportunities too – I hopefully see myself working for the bank in another country at some point in my career. It’s also exciting to see how we’re moving world trade finance that’s been established for 160 years into the age of modern technology.

However, what’s been my real driving force is the great people I’ve met and the real breadth of personalities here. Everyone is open and willing to share their time and pass on their knowledge. At no point have I ever felt I couldn’t ask for someone’s time to help me develop. What’s nice is that I’m now able to pass that back to others as I’m very proactive in terms of mentoring others.

I'm also a big advocate for volunteering and feel fortunate that we have paid volunteering days each year to give something back to our local communities – whether that’s our time or via fundraising efforts.

If you told me when I joined the bank as an intern in 2018 that I’d have gained my current breadth of experience, taken on multiple responsibilities, had the opportunities to progress quickly and enjoy ongoing support to go even further, I’d have not believed it. There are opportunities aplenty here and if you want to be challenged in the right way, have the chance to thrive and work with interesting and exciting people, I don’t think there’s a better place to be.