TSB Bank

Check out part 2 of the interview between TSB general counsel Guy R S Dunlop and CMO Emma Springham about authenticity, coming out at work, and why DEI is something to get excited about, not a box to tick. EMMA I always say to people, join the networks, because then you've got a really safe space to talk about your ideas and what you want. And that's where change can happen. Our networks go straight into Exco, all our networks have an executive sponsor. And Guy is a great example, I love that buy-in, that it comes right from the top. GUY It’s important in a way that I had never appreciated. I've had to learn that. And for the network itself, every time I'm engaged, it fires them up, and you can see that they're enthused. I say to my network, it’s important to make us as a management team uncomfortable. That's the role of advocacy. Because if you're not prepared to do that, you're not going to effect change. To have a culture where you can have that conversation at the most senior level, I think is a huge success in TSB. EMMA I think on my side, it's also how I'm making those networks proud with the work that I'm doing through the comms to the customers. I think that's really important. For example, we might feature a same sex couple - we don’t put a badge on them, it’s quite subtle, but it’s about making sure we’re reflecting our values when we talk to customers. GUY The thread through everything we do is seeking a great outcome for customers - everything we do has an impact on them. People asked why we needed pronoun badges in our branches, but that was missing the point. We want to have a visible opportunity to enable someone to be addressed using their correct pronouns. That works really well for customers. If they come to the branch, and someone is wearing a pronoun badge, it indicates "I understand and I’m accepting of who you are”. And that makes it easier for the customer to feel safe. EMMA We've created some really, what I'd call brave, social content, where we partnered with influencers who have a voice on D&I topics and they lend us their advice and challenge. It’s about showing our customers who we’re and that they’re safe with TSB, whilst acknowledging this is a journey and we want to keep getting better. GUY The simple aim is equality - how do you include people in a way that makes them feel equal to everybody else? It must be a holistic approach. And it’s really important to face into potentially controversial or difficult subjects. So that thread of equality runs through how we approach employment policies, which includes supporting colleagues who are transitioning. For us, in supporting our colleagues and ensuring all our customers feel safe and seen, it’s simple, if you're transitioning, you know that we're going to support you. That’s why this recognition from Stonewall matters as it's a proof point for us, an external, credible proof point that we’re doing the right stuff. But it’s also a challenge - what more can we do?

As we’re named as a Top 100 employer by Stonewall, TSB general counsel Guy R S Dunlop and CMO Emma Springham chat about authenticity, coming out at work, and why DEI is something to get excited about, not a box to tick. Read part 1 below and keep an eye out for part 2. EMMA I think it's fundamental for people to be able to be themselves at work. I had to hide my own sexuality when I was younger in my career, because I was hiding it outside with my family. And it's hard work. It feels exhausting because you're always a little bit on the defensive. When I'm coaching people to come out at work or be their authentic selves, you just see a difference in their confidence and the way they act at work. GUY That’s right. When people can be open about who they are, they are more effective at work. And it's because they're simply not having to hide or shield themselves from difficult conversations. And it's incredible how difficult that can be in workplaces with a poor approach to DEI. You end up with individuals who are tense, uncomfortable, having to avoid certain types of conversations. Whereas an inclusive environment simply means people are who they are, and they can bring all their talents to the workspace. EMMA Also, it's really important to have fun. When people can be their authentic self, you get that fun side. We get magical moments in our lives - promotions, anniversaries, kids, all those lovely things. But we also all have miserable moments that completely knock us off. How do I encourage people to talk about that? If people are honest about what's going on in their life, I can then make sure that I've got the right support around them. If I talk about my vulnerability, I find that people are more open to talk about themselves and their own lives. And Guy’s brilliant at this, just being really open. GUY Well, I am who I am, and I was able to disclose it. And actually, it's been really powerful because it's been an opportunity for me to use my own experience to set the tone within the business that this matters. So, while I don't wave the flag marching down the hallways, I'm happy to talk about my experience, I'm happy to lead the LGBTQ network, because I think it's important that people see the role modeling throughout the organization, around what DEI means means for us, and why it actually matters. EMMA I don't stand there and say, oh, I'm gay. But if I talk about my family, of course, it just happens to be a woman and kids that come up so people can put two and two together. GUY I agree with Emma. Conversations don’t start with "Are you heterosexual?" or "Are you gay?" I'm comfortable taking my partner to work events, and what's lovely is that people just say, "Hi, Eric. Nice to see you again." And that normalization of people in relationships, like all of us are, means I don't worry about it in the way that I did initially.

On the 20th June we welcomed colleagues from across the business to a Pride event at our head office in Edinburgh. We held a panel discussion focusing on topics such as: Why Pride is still important in 2024 and Privilege. The panel discussion was a safe space, giving many colleagues the time and support to share their personal stories. Our theme throughout the event was to be brave, stand up and speak out. After the panel event colleagues met with local charities LGBT Health and Wellbeing, Waverley Care, Scotland’s leading HIV and Hepatitis C Charity, and Lighthouse, a local LGBTQ bookshop giving colleagues the opportunity to browse and buy LGBTQ informative books. At TSB we are committed to ensuring that all our colleagues are able to bring their whole selves to work. #ProudToBeTSB

Great news for our business banking customers! Save time with our new partner Ember's all-in-one accountancy and digital tax service. Smart software and expert accountants mean managing your money just got simpler and a lot cheaper. Our customers receive a 50% discount with Ember for 6 months*. To find out more visit: https://lnkd.in/eqm438r7 *Available to new Ember customers who are sole traders or limited companies when paying monthly.

At TSB we're passionate about empowering the next generation to manage their money more confidently. Through our Money Confident Communities Programme, we’re taking significant strides to support schools in delivering financial education. The Money Confident Communities Programme was launched in 2022, and is designed to provide young people with the skills to handle their finances effectively. Our programme, comprises four workshops that are designed to meet national curriculum requirements and address the financial literacy needs of young people, particularly in under-resourced communities and schools. Since the programme’s inception: - Over 50 TSB colleagues have volunteered their time and expertise. - 179 sessions have been delivered. - More than 4800 individuals have been reached. Financial education is a critical component of personal development, yet many schools struggle with the resources to deliver it effectively. The teachers we work with agree: "Being able to manage money is a fundamental life skill that everyone needs to navigate the complexities of adult life. The earlier we start, the better equipped young people are for future financial success.” Mary Ann McAlinden a Principal teacher at St Maurice's High School. Martin Opgaard from Falkirk High School added that his school: "delivers a variety of Personal Finance courses which cover different finance topics. However, the input from (TSB volunteer) Ryan Dickinson was highly valuable because it was very informative, interactive and engaging for pupils." #ProudToBeTSB

Open Banking Fintechs, don’t miss out! Apply to be part of TSB Labs before 2 July! We offer you front row seats to learn what’s important to TSB, connect you with our banking leaders and pitch to pilot your proposition in our ecosystem that services over 5m people in the UK. We are interested in Open Banking enabled Fintechs across retail banking and business banking as well as Fintechs that have smart uses of data or explore new business models. Last call for applications, deadline is 2 July: https://lnkd.in/ebb3iSyF #Fintech #Banking #OpenBanking #Innovation #SME #Scotland #SmallBusiness #Sustainability #Accelerator

Thanks to everyone who attended The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) annual dinner last night. A fantastic evening and a great way to recognise AMI’s vital work and support they provide for our industry. See more at https://lnkd.in/ePp2utkn #TSBMortgageIntermediaries

We make sure that our carer colleagues have the support they need to do what matters and look after their loved ones. #CarersWeek

NOW OPEN: TSB Bank is taking applications for fintechs to participate in its fourth Innovation Labs programme as the bank and FinTech Scotland encourage the next cohort of fintech collaborators. This year, we're keen to focus on open banking/open finance propositions that will deliver money confidence to customers, offering them a more personalised experience and access to a range of financial products. We're looking forward to working with applicants, offering them mentorship and the opportunity to develop their proposition with TSB experts. If you're interested in understanding more about the programme, please reach out to myself or Darryl P. Matthews https://lnkd.in/g6JWrW53

Last week we kicked off discussions on social privilege with over 500 colleagues, who joined us to hear a brilliant conversation led by our Social Mobility network with former England Rugby Union Captain, Jason Robinson OBE. A leader who really has seen it all and who is generously sharing his life-story with others to inspire, to educate and to raise awareness of the many battles and barriers people are negotiating on a daily basis. In the spirit of working collaboratively to remove barriers to those colleagues who may recognise some of Jason’s own story we are pleased to announce our participation in the new ‘Trailblazers mentoring programme’, launching this week! Trailblazers is a multi-company Mentoring Programme that aims to remove socio-economic barriers through democratising access to mentoring. The programme aims to empower more junior colleagues from diverse backgrounds to transition into middle management roles and help to improve the diversity of talent pipelines across our sector. Powered by the mentoring platform Connectr Talent Technology, the programme is live for our colleagues along with those of several other major UK companies. Mentees will have the opportunity to find mentors with the skills and strengths they are aiming to develop, and by showcasing a range of lived experiences the programme will help to level the playing field, broaden perspectives and change mindsets. We’d love to encourage other organisations to join to gain the benefits and help us maximise the potential of a cross-industry talent scheme. If you’d like your organisation to participate in this programme please reach out to Simon Reichwald at Connectr for more information. #SocialMobilityDay #FinancialServices #Trailblazers #Celebratingdiversity #RaisingAwareness