Parade Profile: Bob Wigley (BSc Business Administration 1983, Hon DBA 2008)

Posted in: Parade Profiles (all), School of Management

Since graduating from Bath in 1983, Bob Wigley has gone on to build an impressive and varied career in the finance industry and is currently the chairman of the board of directors of UK Finance.

Bob is passionate about emerging talent and technologies, and is heavily involved in charity work – his most recent philanthropic venture involving the purchase and transport of an ambulance to Ukraine to contribute to the war effort.

In 2008, Bob received an honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration from the University. Read on to hear his story.


Why did you choose to study at Bath? 

I was told by school to go to Oxford or Cambridge but I wanted to read business and they offered no business degree. Bath seemed the best on offer.

What first led you to study business administration?

From 16 I was an entrepreneur and knew I wanted to go into business.

Can you tell us about your experience of studying at Bath? 

In some ways I don’t think much has changed; the night club is the same – although nowadays I think students go off to Bristol which we didn’t.

The highlight of the week was a burger and chocolate cake with ice cream – all for £1 I think – at the Walrus and Carpenter. The beer wasn’t included!

You've held numerous senior and varied positions across your career in the banking and finance industry, including your current position as Chair for UK Finance.

What did you learn at Bath, professionally and/or personally, that you apply in your leadership roles today? 

With hindsight, it was an incredibly useful experience – in particular the combination of practical placements with academic study. I spent two years working, and saw my employer from head to foot, and two years studying. Two plus two definitely made five as a result.

Can you tell us about the first step you took on your career path after graduating? 

My first step was to qualify as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen in Bristol before moving to a British merchant bank Morgan Grenfell in the City. The best bit about my life is there is no typical day; every day is completely different.

Sometimes I'm working on UK Finance issues representing financial services in the UK with the prime minister, chancellor or governor of the Bank of England, other days I'm working with my various tech businesses trying to help them grow, at Kings College where I'm researching the effects of doomscrolling on mental health or with the three charities I support.

Outside of your professional life, you're heavily involved in philanthropy, including becoming a supporter and adviser to St John Ambulance's development team. You recently took on a personal endeavour of driving to Ukraine in an ambulance with supplies and raised over £30,000 for Kharkiv Aid.

Can you tell us why philanthropy is so important to you?

I think I'm lucky to have led an interesting, stimulating and rewarding career and I'm keen to 'give something back' by mentoring Bath students and alumni – many of whom contact me through LinkedIn – and by supporting important charities like Cancer Research UK, St Johns Ambulance and the Royal Marines.

I recently bought an ambulance and took it to Ukraine myself to donate to the war effort, meeting my contact from Kharkiv Aid on the road to Lviv. She was 21 and I found that very emotional. She wept when she saw what we managed to get from the NHS and our local village in the back of the ambulance. Gauzes, swabs, cardio machines and sutures are always needed in the field, then blankets, clothes and boots for the winter weather in Ukraine, which is very cold. I paid for the ambulance and the trip but others kindly donated nearly £35k which is going straight to Kharkiv Aid for the humanitarian support they provide in the region.

You've written a book about the impact of digital technology on emerging generations, and regularly invest in emerging talent and technologies.

What is your biggest piece of advice to students considering building a business today?  

One thing I often ask for, but entrepreneurs often don’t have, is a competitor analysis. They might or might not have a brilliant idea, but they must ask whether anyone else out there providing anything similar? What's different about their product? How much have others already invested? Are they making any revenue? What's their revenue model? What's their USP?

Posted in: Parade Profiles (all), School of Management

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