The Virgin Banker: My Life in Finance

by Jayne-Anne Gadhia

Jayne-Anne Gadhia, the straight-talking CEO of Virgin Money, looks back at the events that have influenced, shaped and inspired her to become one of the most powerful women in banking.

With anecdotes from her life before becoming a banker, including beating the bullies and experiencing racism as part of a mixed race marriage, through to building a business from scratch, working at RBS under Fred Goodwin just before the financial crash, and steering Virgin Money to become a listed business, breaking boundaries along the way, professionally and personally.

Jayne-Anne shines a light on issues surrounding the role of women in banking and the alpha-male dinosaurs that dominate the industry. She draws on the relationships and deals that have shaped her career so far, including her personal experience with mental health issues, which has helped her attitude and approach to both her business and personal life.

This is not a conventional biography, nor a ‘how to do it’ business book. It is a candid, fresh and fascinating insight into being a woman in business, the financial crisis and the way in which business can be conducted as a force for good.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 20, 2017

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am in year 12 and I read this book as economics wider reading. I found the read boring in general, but inspiring. Gadhia’s journey was and is monstrous. She is an extremely strong role model for young women, like myself, considering financial careers. I think I need to re-read this book to truly appreciate her journey. As a side note, I am a Harry Potter fan, so really appreciated the Harry Potter reference.

[Naushina Aniff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated this book immensely, especially the details regarding the financial crisis and the reasoning behind the decisions made at the top. However I would have preferred a more personal angle. For example, the struggles and dilemmas faced as a woman in finance, how she dealt with these internally, and how she overcame them. Instead, this book was very factual and precise. I read it as a colourful list of work problems faced in her career and success stories. Perhaps she actively elected to not highlight these issues in detail, to prevent the label of being a feminist book - which is understandable if she wanted to seperate the genres and appeal to a larger audience. Nonetheless, she is a great writer with brilliant achievements.

[Jon Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book charting the story of Virgin Money. Funny, insightful, thought-provoking and emotional - highly recommended.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a really interesting read as it was both inspiring and taught me a bit more about Virgin and banking.

[Shelley O’Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic-couldn't put down

A must read for all females working in the city and trying to do the work life balance. Always inspiring!

[Stuart Lister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book, a great insight into the woman who offered so much success to the Branson empire

[Pallavi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The simplicity with which she explained complicated finance life and banking sector (YAWN!!! missing), you would not feel lost in the jargon.
I did not feel once that it is her first time writing a book, it was engaging from start to finish. Though from the experiences from the early days had a lot of bullying involved, I did not feel any bitterness from her end. The problems that come with lack of diversity and board members consisting of “all white men”, leads to ignorance and consideration for all. Though it was a big deal from two decades ago, to see women as leaders and front runners, at no point it was made into her life story, it was acknowledged but not dragged.

[Grahamshircore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average with a few interesting snippets