Ross McEwan is Managing Director and EMEA Head of TMT & Ecommerce Sales at Citi. He leads on Technology, Media and Telecommunications at Citi for the UK, Europe, Middle East & Africa clusters within the Treasury and Trade Services business.
Based in London, he has been with Citi for almost five years, with 17 years of industry experience having previously spent time at Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and RBS, in London and New York, in roles across sales, product and advisory.
Returning to Loughborough to discuss his experiences of the banking sector for current students across two speaking sessions, Ross described his time in roles at British and American banks and the various challenges and opportunities that led to his current role as Managing Director at Citi.
Discussing his time at University, Ross said: “I had a great experience here during my four years at Loughborough. Incredibly, this is my first time back on campus in 17 years, and I’ve always wanted to come and be part of it again, to give back to the University and the students here in some way. During my studies I was inspired by the fantastic lecturers and guest speakers we heard from, so to be able to come back and share my own career experiences feels incredibly rewarding.
“I’ve seen how much the finance sector has changed over the course of my career. I was studying the financial crisis and the collapse of Northern Rock as it was happening during my final year in 2007, before securing my first job at the height of the turmoil in 2008. The case studies we explored during my degree, coupled with those ongoing real-world, significant financial events really put some of the more theoretical elements of economics and maths into play, and shaped the world and job market I was graduating into.
“Being back on campus today brings back a lot of memories of what I love about Loughborough. As a student, I always felt there was a strong sense of community, but also a winning mentality that stems from the sporting heritage here. I appreciated that ethos of teamwork and competitiveness that can bring out the best in people. I built such great bonds of friendship from my time at Loughborough. The campus accommodation brings you together with a diverse group of people in halls, which has given me lasting friendships which I maintain to this day.”
In his second session, Ross broke down the role of the Treasury and Trade business - often referred to as the crown jewel of Citi - to understand the value of its financial operations, moving money around the world facilitating global trade. Students had the chance to learn about corporate banking, payment and working capital solutions, as well as the role of innovative technology such as digitization, ecommerce, APls, open banking, blockchain and tokenisation.
Reflecting on his advice for graduates aspiring to work in the sector, Ross said: “My key advice for students and graduates is not to put too much pressure on yourselves to know exactly what you want to do at this stage. Planning is an essential skill, but don’t let yourself be fixated on having a perfect plan to the extent you don’t get started. You will have to make decisions about what to pursue in your career, but you can learn through experience, try new things, or ask for advice from those who’ve been there before and figure out what works for you along the way.
“When I’m hiring graduates, I’m looking for a genuine passion for the role in candidates, people that have an understanding and reason to apply for that job. What makes you stand out early in your career is being engaged, proactive, and owning your own space. Thinking, speaking and acting - with confidence and clarity. It therefore helps to prioritize your health and wellbeing in order to consistently show up and perform, bringing your best self to work. Recognise when to ask for the help or advice of others – they will almost always respond positively, because you made the effort to consult them.”
Discussing the motivation for hosting the talk, Business School Representative and student organiser, Mayank added: "As the School Representative, I feel it’s essential students get to hear real-world perspectives from industry leaders. That’s why I reached out to Ross McEwan, as engaging with a figure of his stature offered an unparalleled opportunity to gain firsthand insights from someone who has navigated the complexities of global finance at the highest level."
“By bridging the gap between understanding academic theory and the real-world complexities of global finance, Ross’ insights not only deepened our understanding but also challenged us to rethink the future of finance and our place within it."
