Welcome to Monday Night Live

Derek Arden and welcome to Monday Night Live. This week we’re joined by an extraordinary leader and gentleman—Andrew Buxton, the former Chairman of Barclays Bank. I’ve had the pleasure (and once, the misfortune!) of being interviewed by Andrew early in my career. He turned me down for a job back then—but hey, we’ve all made decisions we laugh about later!”

In this episode, Andrew reflects on his incredible career in banking, global finance, and crisis leadership. From boardrooms in London to business trips in Bangkok, Andrew has seen it all—and tonight, he shares those stories with wisdom, humility, and plenty of insight.

Andrew begins by sharing his early life, touched by tragedy and shaped by resilience. His father was killed in World War II, and it was his Scottish stepfather—a director at Barclays—who encouraged him to join the bank. That decision set him on a path that would define his life.

He describes driving to Bangkok in the early 1960s for work—back when you could just cross borders with a wave and no visas. This spirit of adventure was tempered by loyalty; he stayed with Barclays for over four decades, rising through the ranks to become Chairman.

Andrew candidly discusses the pressures of being at the top of one of the world’s leading banks. “When you lead a large organization, it’s a 24/7 job,” he said, noting the toll it can take on family life.

He shares gripping stories, including his leadership during the collapse of Barings Bank. One weekend, while hosting a dinner in Suffolk, Andrew got the call: Barings was in trouble. What followed was a whirlwind of emergency meetings, investigations, and failed rescue attempts. He chaired a critical summit with all major UK banks, demonstrating calm leadership in a storm of uncertainty.

Yes, Andrew met Margaret Thatcher. No, she didn’t intimidate him—though he admits she was a bit too confident in her banking knowledge! We also discuss boardroom espionage and security: did Barclays really sweep rooms for bugs every morning? Andrew’s not sure—but wouldn’t be surprised.

One of his golden rules? “Meet people face-to-face.” 🤝 Even in our digital world, Andrew stresses the irreplaceable value of human connection in negotiation and relationship-building.

Andrew recounts the high-stakes rescue of Massey Ferguson in the 1980s, a global negotiation involving 100 banks. From Rome to Paris to London’s Dorchester Hotel, the scale and complexity were immense—but the outcome was successful.

His experience with corporate recovery continues today, where he consults for companies in trouble—usually at the request of friends rather than for profit. “I don’t look for trouble,” he says with a smile, “but sometimes it finds me.”

“Banking is about risk,” Andrew reminds us. “If you never make bad debts, you’re probably not taking the right risks.” But he’s always been guided by ethics, sound judgment, and a clear understanding of the systems from the ground up—starting his career behind the counter at Holland Park branch in London.

His advice to young people today?
“Do something you enjoy. Stick at it. Be straightforward.” ✨
And don’t hop jobs too quickly—stick around long enough to find out what really fits.

Perhaps most movingly, Andrew reflects on how his ambitions as a young man—to be a farmer—changed as he was swept into the world of international banking. He offers a candid acknowledgment that while his life was filled with professional success, it came with personal trade-offs, especially for his family.

Andrew’s stories are not just about banking—they’re about people, leadership, resilience, and learning from experience. His honesty and insight were a masterclass in what it means to lead with integrity.

🙏 Thank you for joining us on Monday Night Live. Don’t forget to like 👍, share 📤, and subscribe 🔔—and stay tuned for more conversations with inspiring leaders from around the globe!

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