Empowerment is for everyone at Barclays

Created by VERCIDA for Barclays

 

Sharleighn Tulloch has created a successful career with Barclays through learning on the job and promoting inclusivity and diversity.

 

Sharleighn Tulloch, Customer Service Lead at Barclays

 

Instead of going to university, I went straight into work mode. I’d worked in food courts for fast food chains as a teenager – it was an example set by my mother and my grandparents, who always worked hard to make sure we were comfortable when we were growing up. 

Then, when I was about 20 years old, I had a conversation that changed my life. A manager from Barclays and his wife were staying in the hotel where I was a receptionist. I was doing my job, making sure they were supported and had everything they needed and when they were checking out, the manager gave me his card and asked me if I’d ever thought about working for Barclays.

I said that I hadn’t thought about working for a bank at all, but he told me to apply anyway. That conversation changed my life. I rang the number on the card, was called in for an interview and was offered a job.

 

When I started, I was out the back of a branch processing cheques and eventually, I moved up to become a cashier, which is when I first started interacting with customers. From there, I’ve been able to move into a variety of roles – personal banking, assistant manager, branch manager and now customer care leader – and the amazing thing is that I didn’t need any university qualifications to do this. I worked and learned new skills within the business.

In my current role as a customer care leader, as well as being deputy co-chair of the Black Professionals Resource Group (BPRG), I am able to empower and inspire others to be the very best that they can be. 

 As a customer care leader, I help my colleagues, both those who interact face-to-face with customers and those who take inbound calls, to improve the customer experience journeys. I get to listen in on customer interactions, give constructive feedback, help upskill people and do whatever I can to support my colleagues in their personal and professional development. 

I’ve always believed in leading by example, so I still help customers at machines or at the counter, as well as being the person who observes and advises colleagues. Leading by example is my approach to my role with BPRG, which I have been involved with for five years now. I’ve got a huge passion for diversity, equity and inclusion – my colleagues are from diverse backgrounds so I’ve always had an interest in making everyone feel comfortable and feel like they can 100% bring their whole selves to work. This starts with having open conversations.

 

 

When I first got involved with BPRG, it was just a small group in Birmingham raising awareness, usually based on different celebrations, as well as having Winds of Change conversations, which are listening groups where people can talk about whatever is on their minds. BPRG’s citizenship and charity pillar is close to my heart, it’s what I’ve always been about, especially when it comes to helping the next generation. 

We started with a Black Minds Matter project, as well as raising money for the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, where I started doing a lot of work when I was asked to lead BPRG’s citizenship and charity pillar. It all happened pretty quickly and I soon went about making some changes, such as introducing allies to the group. It is so powerful to have the support of allies from different sites in the company. Now there are eight people on my team from different cultures.

 

Black Minds Matter is an important part of Black History Month. There can be a lot of stigma in the Black community around showing emotion and speaking out, especially on mental health issues. We want to make it clear that talking about your feelings is not a sign of weakness and that there are people to talk to – this is so important. 

I’ve been so blessed with a supportive workplace and a brilliant husband. We have two children, aged five and nine, and another on the way. Today, I am nine months pregnant, but I still went out and spoke to girls about being aware of fraud scams and staying safe on social media as part of my work with Reach, an organisation supporting online safety for children in care.

 

The colour of your skin, being a mother, or being pregnant does not mean your career is limited. You can make a difference, no matter who you are. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I worked hard, just as my family worked hard for me, and I have been able to have an amazing career.

I want the next generation to not be shy, and to not be afraid to apply for a job with a bank. You meet and connect with so many people, you can build a brand, you can grow and develop – and you can make a real difference. 

 

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