Bankers dash for the cash in Standard Chartered’s 5k race

 

Some 6,500 City workers ran through the streets of the Square Mile last night, not to All Bar One for first dibs on Thursday drinks, but as part of Standard Chartered’s annual 5k Great City Race. The rain held off as teams from firms such as Investec, KMPG, Lloyd’s of London, PwC and 

 

City A.M., of course, took part with Standard Chartered staff. 

 

At the front, along with Paula Radcliffe (leading a blindfolded Mike Bushell), Colin Jackson and five-time Paralympic gold medallist Noel Thatcher, was Standard Chartered’s Europe CEO Richard Holmes. “I’ve been a bit light on training this year, I’d done the London Marathon in 2013 so was much fitter last time but I’ll be alright,” he told The Capitalist before the start. Homes wouldn’t be pressed on his target time though. “It’s not about the time, although a lot of people focus on it, saying that – there are quite a few challenges going on at the bank.” We’d believe that.

 

https://twitter.com/GreatCityRace/status/487316949500977152

 

■ Former Jupiter Fund Management boss Edward Bonham Carter scooped the coveted outstanding industry contribution gong last night at Investment Week’s annual fund manager of the year awards. “I’m delighted,” Bonham Carter told The Capitalist afterwards. “My thanks go to our clients and my colleagues.” Despite 14 years stewarding the intergalactic fund manager to become a FTSE 250 giant, it was Bonham Carter’s jacket that caught the eye of host, comedian Marcus Brigstocke. No conventional black tie for Bonham Carter, oh no. He looked resplendent in a navy green tweed Nehru jacket and mandarin collar. “Why wear a black tie when a tiny cushion will do,” Brigstocke quipped. We thought you looked nice anyway, Edward.

 

■ Barclays has taken the opportunity to shine a light on some altogether fluffier matters than its infamous dark pool by announcing a swathe of promotions. Barclays branch staff, 6,500 of them to be exact, are to be raised from cashiers to (ready for this?…) “community bankers”. This new army of community bankers are representative of the next generation of branch staff. Goodbye to glass windows, counters and spinning money trays – hello to iPads and staff with legs, who walk around and point out things to customers. This new army of community bankers will be marching to branches this October – don’t you feel all warm and fuzzy already?