Few bankers can claim to have worked for the same company as long as Alex Rodger, who retires at the end of the month as managing director of corporate banking for RBS International in Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar. ONE of the most experienced members of Guernsey’s finance industry retires from banking this month.
Alex Rodger has spent 41 years at the Royal Bank of Scotland but said the constant changes in direction and challenges of his roles over the years had made it feel like several different careers.
‘There has always been enough variety in my job to keep me satisfied. Every four to five years my job changed and my responsibility increased so there has been more than enough to be getting on with,’ he said.
‘Right up until my retirement there has never been a lot of time to reflect on things.’
Originally from Scotland, Mr Rodger has spent 17 years working in Guernsey. During that time, he was involved in the formation of RBSI in 1996, the reorganisation of the business locally following the acquisition of NatWest and the launch of the Securities Services Division, in Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.
He was also at the helm during the bank’s move into its new flagship premises at Royal Bank Place in St Peter Port on the former Royal Hotel site.
He is a familiar face among the business and finance community and has been a prominent member of the Institute of Directors for much of his Guernsey career.
And he leaves the industry with every confidence in its future.
‘If you look back at GFSC statistics, the number of banking licences has declined from a peak of almost 100 in 1997 to around 50 today. This demonstrates the success of the remaining large institutions like ourselves,’ he said.
‘My challenge has always been to keep growing the businesses and I have been lucky to have great staff behind me.’
A lot has changed since he arrived.
‘Early on I was faced with a potential strike action over the condition of the then premises.
‘When you see our new spectacular building you can imagine how much we have expanded.’
Notwithstanding the NatWest acquisition, it has grown 50-fold during his time.
‘I would like to think we have made RBS the most prominent bank in the island. Perhaps that is a slightly biased view but we have really made a big mark in the corporate side of things.’
He is proud that the bank has been involved in a lot of firsts and cited electronic banking as a case in point.
‘We put this in place 10 years ago and were really pleased to be able to take the market lead. It is still on top in terms of number of users and connections.’
The endowment policy market, which really took off eight years ago, was another niche in which the bank successfully invested, he said.
‘We are seen as a key market leader and that has been down to the talent in my team in recognising that potential. You could say any institution could do this, but we have built the skills to meet these opportunities.’
Mr Rodger is also proud to have been involved in the development of the Royal site.
‘People should not lose sight of the fact that this was a development site before we took it on. We take pride in it as it is a great place for staff to work and a real asset to the island.’
He commended Long Port for its vision for the site.
Prior to moving to Guernsey in 1989, most of his banking experience had been gained in the corporate and institutional sector through senior posts in relationship management and credit control in London and New York.
‘Coming from New York felt like swapping the Big Apple for the small apple. It was quite a culture shock.’
During his time in the US he was closely involved in diligence exercises leading to the group’s acquisition of Citizens Bank in 1988.
In addition to his responsibilities as a director for RBSI in Guernsey, he was appointed managing director of RBS International Securities Services Group in April 2002.
This has recently been sold to BNP Paribas. One of his last tasks before retiring has been finalising the deal.
Following a business reorganisation at the beginning of 2003, he was asked to lead RBSI’s institutional banking division and subsequently was also appointed director of corporate banking.
Mr Rodger said he expected to keep working in some form but would really miss RBS.
‘The bank has been great and I have truly enjoyed every minute of my varied career. If you enjoy what you do that is half the battle and I will undoubtedly miss the day-to-day contact and camaraderie with my staff.’
Similarly, he said, he would miss his clients.
‘I have worked with some customers for a long period of time and seeing their businesses grow has been very satisfying. You feel you have contributed to their success.’
His successor, Adrian Gill, currently managing director of corporate banking for RBS in the Midlands, takes over next month following a handover period.
Article posted on 8th May, 2007 - 12.00am
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