The University of West London (UWL) has awarded Senior Manager at NatWest Chris Gallant an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of his active support of Claude Littner Business School (CLBS) students through industry and career talks, mentoring, and facilitating industry visits.
Starting his career at Barclays, working across both the UK and European retail banking sectors, Chris then joined the mortgages division where he led on government-backed housing schemes including the multibillion-pound Help to Buy scheme.
After spending some time working with Accenture consulting, he moved to Coutts Private Bank and became Director of Strategy and Performance where he led several product and transformation initiatives, including Coutts’ first partnership with mortgage FinTech company ‘Mortgage Brain’ and support offered to borrowers during Covid-19.
Currently a Senior Manager at NatWest, Chris leads an engagement programme with over 8,000 colleagues across frontline teams.
He is a keen supporter of social mobility and a member of the Industry Advisory Board of the 93% Club, the leading UK social mobility charity supporting students from state school educated backgrounds across UK universities.
“While Chris is ranked among the top professionals in the City; he comes from a working-class background,” said Associate Professor and Dean of CLBS Dr Amelia Au-Yeung before presenting him with the award.
“Chris has not forgotten his roots and works tirelessly to improve the social mobility and access to Financial Services and professional careers for students and graduates from less privileged backgrounds,” she continued.
“He has raised our students’ aspirations and deepened their understanding of how to access professional careers in top-level companies by giving them insider knowledge and practical advice.”
“I have been privileged to have worked with and mentored many UWL students over the last few years, and I would say that there’s three things that you all have in common,” said Chris to the graduands.
“Firstly, your capability and your dedication to your studies. Secondly, your desire to go out and make a difference in the world. Thirdly, your tenacity – the way you find a way to overcome obstacles and succeed. In my experience these three elements are the foundations for success in the wider world.”
