We recently caught up with Ben Caseley, an Associate Director working in Leverage Finance for Lloyds Banking Group. He has rapidly progressed in his career over the past four years while collecting a few impressive awards along the way.
For someone who doesn’t consider himself an academic person, Ben has provided the perfect example of how far hard work and dedication will take you.
A change of career
Ben has now worked in the banking industry for eight years. However, he didn’t start his career straight after full-time education. Off the back of completing his A Levels, Ben spent some time working in the hospitality industry.
He later went on to join Lloyds Banking Group's Retail division, this was the first step towards his professional career. Whilst in this division he started a Level 2 Providing Financial Services apprenticeship. However, after a year he moved to a risk analysis-based role, completing financial crime and counter terrorist financing disclosures to the National Crime Agency on behalf of the business.
Ben worked in the area for over three years before he was introduced to the Level 6 Financial Services Professional Apprenticeship with Kaplan.
“It was daunting at first. I was around 24 so I hadn’t been in education for a while, and it was a totally different career opportunity.”
From starting the apprenticeship, Ben has seen the benefits of his growing knowledge, being promoted from an entry-level apprenticeship Analyst role to Associate, and now Associate Director.
Award winner
Aside from Ben’s clear career growth, his hard work during the studying element of his apprenticeship has certainly not gone unnoticed.
His trophy cabinet is truly representative of what you can achieve when you are fully committed:
- 2020 Hutton Prize for Professional Ethics. Ben achieved the highest mark in the Chartered Banker Professionalism and Ethics module.
- 2021 Bank Strategy, Operations and Technology subject prize. Ben achieved the highest mark in the Chartered Banker Bank Strategy, Operations and Technology module.
- 2022 Sir Bruce Pattullo prize. Ben gained the highest mark in all modules in the Advanced Diploma in Banking and Leadership in a Digital Age.
At each juncture he has been “surprised, but very grateful” to have been recognised for his efforts and commitment to his studies.
“I was happy with the grades I achieved in school but honestly, I was never at the top of the class- which goes to show you what an apprenticeship can help you to achieve. However, I do think it’s also down to commitment, time and the effort you’re willing to put in.”
Ben shared his top tip which helped him in achieving these fantastic milestones. He explained, whilst Kaplan offers a fantastic and extremely valuable tutor in support of the apprenticeship, he would be finishing his assignments well ahead of the deadlines:
“As soon as the questions were published, I would start my assignments straight away. I understand that not everyone would approach the assignments in this way, but I really just wanted to make sure that I really focused on ensuring I had plenty of time to complete the assignment to the best of my ability. Especially when working a complex, full-time job. This usually ended up with me finishing the assignments as other people started.”
Climbing the ladder of success
Ben found that he was struggling to progress his career in the manner he wanted, and therefore opted to “take a leap into an apprenticeship and hope for the best; it was the best decision I’ve made in my career. I would encourage others to do it, regardless of age. Especially if they’re struggling to progress.”
“If I looked back at my 19-year-old self starting in the industry, I don’t think I’d recognise who that is now. When I look back, I can see I’ve grown so much as a person, and my capabilities now stretch even further than I could have ever imagined. This is thanks to the apprenticeship and the support of my employer (and colleagues), both of which have been pivotal in helping me to develop.”
It’s clear to see how the apprenticeship has opened up career progression opportunities for Ben. However, it’s not just his work life that has improved. Ben highlighted that “you get an idea of how an apprenticeship can help you progress into a higher position. But it’s had an advance on life too. It opens up your horizons to what you can do outside of work as well. It’s definitely enhanced my quality of life and the opportunities available to me.”
Through the apprenticeship, Ben has found himself becoming a much more advanced and competent person with a healthy work/life balance. Thinking about the future, he is looking forward to getting more comfortable in his current role and embracing his new promotion.
“There are still many things to learn and experience.”
And we’re very excited to see where his career takes him in the future.
Are you interested in an apprenticeship?
If you’re looking to progress your career, boost your skills, and gain better satisfaction, then an apprenticeship may be exactly what you need. Browse our current vacancies, or read more about how you can talk to your current employer to support your apprenticeship training.