Case Study: Strengthening Programme Management for a Major UK Bank

Client Overview

A major UK bank required expert assistance in strengthening the management of a £500 million business change programme. The bank sought an experienced interim to provide independent health checks, ongoing reviews, and mentoring support for programme directors, senior executives, and the board. The objective was to enhance programme oversight, mitigate risks, and ensure successful delivery across multiple business units.

Approach & Solutions

Working closely with the Change Director and the Executive team, the consultant undertook a structured assessment and intervention strategy across various programmes within the bank.

Europe

• Conducted a health check of a £30 million programme based in Madrid, collaborating with Accenture to design and build a multi-channel banking and CRM system for Spain, Portugal, and France.
• Identified key risks and provided recommendations to address them.
• Continued to monitor ongoing progress to ensure successful implementation.
• Investment Management
• Reviewed a £20 million programme aimed at delivering multi-channel financial planning and point-of-sale systems for mass retail, small business, and affluent markets.
• Recommended a strategic review and the development of a roadmap for phased deliveries over time to optimise the programme’s effectiveness.

International Banking

Performed a health check on a £10 million programme launching an Internet banking service for corporate clients.

• Identified issues, proposed corrective actions, and continued mentoring the Programme Director and the Executive through to successful delivery.
• Extended mentoring support to the Programme Director of a major change initiative restructuring offshore subsidiaries.

Premier Banking

• Provided advisory support to the Change Director during the inception phase of a £50 million business change programme.
• Assisted with programme organisation and resourcing strategy.
• Conducted an independent review of a £20 million project launching a new banking service for affluent clients.
• Worked with the Executive team to agree on actionable steps to improve the likelihood of successful delivery.

Stockbrokers

• Conducted a health check of a £3 million programme aimed at enhancing the bank’s offering.
• Provided recommendations to mitigate risks and ensure successful implementation.
• Continued mentoring support to reinforce best practices and long-term programme success.

Private Bank

• Conducted regular reviews of a £20 million programme replacing core banking and investment administration systems.
• Provided continuous mentoring support to the delivery team to ensure smooth implementation and risk mitigation.

Outcomes & Impact

• Strengthened programme oversight and governance, ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives.
• Provided independent assurance and risk mitigation strategies that enhanced project success rates.
• Established a mentoring framework for programme directors and senior executives, improving leadership capability and decision-making effectiveness.
• Delivered actionable insights and structured roadmaps for long-term success across multiple transformation initiatives.

Conclusion

Through independent health checks, strategic recommendations, and dedicated mentoring, the consultant played a critical role in ensuring the successful delivery of major change initiatives within the bank. The engagement resulted in enhanced programme management capabilities, reduced risks, and improved business outcomes across multiple units.