Barclays: strategic capability building across compliance and data

As a global bank operating in a highly regulated and fast-changing environment, Barclays must continuously adapt to technological disruption, regulatory shifts and evolving workforce expectations. Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education has played a key role in helping the bank build leadership capability to meet these challenges.

Cambridge Judge Business School has worked closely with internal stakeholders to design learning experiences that are not only intellectually rigorous, but also commercially relevant. Each programme is bespoke, addressing divisional needs while reinforcing shared organisational goals.

The Cambridge Compliance Programme was launched in 2014 in response to the growing requirements on the Compliance function after the financial crisis in 2008. Initially structured as a broader development pathway, the programme has since evolved into a senior-level curriculum focused on strategic thinking, foresight and influence.

Delivered through 3 immersive masterclasses, the programme equips Compliance leaders to:

• explore AI and emerging technologies to drive regulatory innovation
• build strategic foresight through scenario planning and horizon scanning
• strengthen organisational resilience and risk-aware decision-making
• address conduct risk through behavioural insight and governance alignment
• influence without formal authority by leveraging networks and advocacy

The programme combines academic insight with real-world expertise from senior industry leaders, enabling participants to bridge theory and practice. The result is a cohort of Compliance professionals who are better prepared to lead ethically, think strategically and adapt to a rapidly shifting regulatory landscape.

In late 2023, Barclays’ Analytics Centre of Excellence engaged Cambridge to develop a leadership programme that would help shift the team’s focus from technical delivery to strategic, customer-centred impact. This collaboration resulted in 2 interlinked programmes designed to build data leadership at different levels.

Phase 1 targeted ACE’s senior leadership, equipping participants to lead with a stronger commercial and strategic mindset. Key topics included:

• customer-centric analytics and data strategy
• ethical data use and marketing science
• aligning analytics with business transformation

The programme concluded with a capstone workshop focused on embedding learning into Barclays’ evolving data strategy. Positive participant feedback led to the development of a second programme for the next cohort of data leaders.

Phase 2, launched in April 2025, was designed for Vice Presidents responsible for executing strategic initiatives across teams. This 2-day programme explored:

• the use of generative AI and no-code tools for rapid problem solving
• moving from reactive analysis to design-led decision-making
• leading change and influencing across functions

Participants rated the programme highly, describing it as inspiring, practically relevant and aligned with their development needs.

Although each programme is tailored to a specific business area, they share a consistent focus on building future-ready leadership. Three themes underpin this enterprise-wide approach:

1. Developing strategic mindsets

Each programme supports leaders in shifting their perspective from tactical delivery to strategic impact. Through future-oriented thinking and complex problem solving, participants learn to anticipate change and respond with agility.

2. Applying technology and data for business value

The integration of emerging technologies, including AI, wearables and predictive analytics, runs across all learning journeys. Participants are encouraged to critically evaluate these tools, not only in terms of function but also in terms of ethics, sustainability and long-term value creation.

3. Strengthening cross-functional leadership

These programmes help break down organisational silos, enabling leaders to collaborate more effectively across Compliance and Data. By developing a shared language around innovation, governance and customer outcomes, participants are better equipped to lead within complex, interdependent systems.

This evolving collaboration between Barclays and Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education demonstrates how targeted, co-created learning programmes can drive organisational transformation. By aligning leadership development with business priorities, the collaboration has supported Barclays in building the strategic thinking, technological fluency and cross-functional leadership needed to thrive in a complex environment.

These programmes are more than isolated learning experiences. Together, they form a connected and scalable model for leadership that supports cultural transformation and long-term value creation for Barclays and the communities it serves.