Close Brothers joins the Financial Services Skills Commission to help shape the future workforce

Specialist banking group Close Brothers has become a member of the Financial Services Skills Commission.

Close Brothers provides lending and deposit taking, employing approximately 2,600 people, principally in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Close Brothers Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

As the industry continues to evolve in response to technological innovation, changing customer expectations and an increasingly complex regulatory environment, investment in skills is a strategic priority for firms across the sector. Through its membership of the Commission, Close Brothers will collaborate with industry peers to help address emerging workforce challenges and support the development of a highly skilled, future-ready talent pipeline.

As a Partner member, Close Brothers will contribute to projects focused on addressing skills gaps and supporting reskilling, learning, upskilling and talent attraction. Some of the projects in a wide-ranging programme of Commission work will address questions such as: How learning will happen in the age of AI; how the UK’s skills system can better support the sector; and how agentic AI will change the tasks performed within teams.

Lucy Gregory, Head of Talent, Close Brothers, said: “We are delighted to have joined the Financial Services Skills Commission and to be part of a collective effort to shape the future of skills across our industry. As the world of work continues to evolve, it’s vital that we invest in the skills, capabilities and opportunities people need to thrive, while ensuring that access is inclusive and open to talent from all backgrounds. We look forward to sharing our experience, learning from others and helping build a more skilled, diverse and inclusive financial services workforce of the future.”

Claire Tunley, Chief Executive, Financial Services Skills Commission, said: “As a specialist banking group with deep industry knowledge and specialist expertise, Close Brothers brings valuable insight and perspective to the evolving skills needs of the sector. We’re looking forward to working with Lucy and the team to harness their views and experience, to ensure the sector has the capabilities it needs to thrive in the years ahead.”

The Financial Services Skills Commission is an independent, not for profit, member-led body, representing the UK’s financial services sector on skills. The organisation works directly with the sector to ensure businesses have the talent and skills they need for the future.