PURPOSE.

Barclays

A British bank headquartered at Canary Wharf, London, with roots going back to 1690. It runs apprenticeships and graduate programmes in London, Manchester, Glasgow and other UK cities.

About Barclays

Barclays is a British bank that does many jobs. It looks after everyday banking for people and businesses in the UK, runs a corporate and investment bank, and has a private bank and wealth management arm. Its products include current accounts, credit cards, mortgages, investment management and insurance. Wikipedia says it has over 200 UK branches and offers some services through Post Office branches.

The business began on 17 November 1690, when two Quakers, John Freame and Thomas Gould, started a goldsmith banking business on Lombard Street in London. Twelve banks merged in 1896 to form Barclays and Co. It launched the UK's first credit card, Barclaycard, in 1966 and put the world's first cash machine in Enfield in 1967. Its headquarters has been One Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, since 2005, and it is listed on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 100). Barclays' own job pages say it operates in 39 countries and has around 90,000 people. Its UK early careers listings also name Glasgow, Northampton and Manchester.

We did not find a one-line mission statement, but Barclays' website says its purpose is to build a stronger, more inclusive economy that works better for everyone. Its job pages list five values in its own words: Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship, with a mindset to Empower, Challenge and Drive.

Its best-known projects for young people include LifeSkills, a free programme to build employability and money skills, delivered in schools in underserved communities with partners such as The Talent Foundry. It also runs Eagle Labs, which supports entrepreneurs across the UK, and Digital Eagles, where volunteers help people feel confident with technology and stay safe online. Barclays Community Football Fund gives grants to local football groups so the game is easier for young people to join.

For young people, Barclays' careers site lists 2027 apprenticeships and graduate programmes. Examples include a four-year Risk Analyst Higher Apprenticeship in London (Canary Wharf) leading to a Compliance and Risk Officer qualification, paying £25,200 plus benefits, asking for 104 UCAS points (BCC) or equivalent, GCSE maths and English at grade 4 or above, and funding eligibility (three years' UK residence and the right to work). Glasgow offers four-year Technology Developer graduate apprenticeships (also £25,200, closing 31 October 2026, needing Scottish Highers at BBBB including maths and two sciences), and there are Customer Care and Business Banking apprenticeships in Manchester. The two-year graduate programmes include three eight-month rotations, a hand-picked line manager and a talent coach (the 2027 Marketing Analyst role closed on 25 September 2026). Barclays says it wants people to feel they "truly belong" if they are curious, creative and ambitious (company claim).

What they do

• {'desc': 'Accounts, cards and mortgages for UK customers.', 'title': 'Everyday banking'}
• {'desc': 'Banking for companies and organisations.', 'title': 'Business banking'}
• {'desc': 'Advice and trading for large clients.', 'title': 'Investment bank'}
• {'desc': "Looking after wealthier clients' money.", 'title': 'Private bank and wealth'}

Key facts

• Founded 17 November 1690 on Lombard Street, London
• Headquarters: One Churchill Place, Canary Wharf (since 2005); listed on the FTSE 100
• Five values: Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Stewardship (job pages)
• 2027 Risk Analyst Higher Apprenticeship: London, about four years, £25,200 (listing)
• 2027 Technology Developer graduate apprenticeship in Glasgow, £25,200, closing 31 October 2026

Website: www.barclays.com