Our People | Meet Chris Platt

Director of Credit and Underwriting

Grandad to two small children, Chris has been in banking for nearly 40 years. He landed his first job in the industry aged just 16, but joined Redwood in 2017 as Director of Credit and Underwriting. The marathon-loving Paula Radcliffe fan enjoys an early morning, and is looking forward to when he is allowed to jump on a plane and continue with his travel adventures again.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

I’m an early bird and always have been. It’s also the sound of pigeons that live in a tree at the front of the house that gets me out of my warm bed.

If you weren’t doing this you’d be…
I’d be doing something within the travel industry, but I’m a life-long banker. Before I joined Redwood, I was with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) for 37 years, as I joined aged just 16.

I wanted a new challenge and Redwood presented that. I couldn’t have asked for more. The idea of being part of a bank from the beginning was too good an opportunity to turn down.

What’s one thing you know now about banking that you didn’t three years ago?

Joining Redwood so early on has meant I’ve had the opportunity to learn how a bank actually runs right from the beginning. Being a smaller Challenger Bank means I’m close to all the key decisions, which has given me a greater insight into the industry.

I’m proud to be part of our collective achievement, and part of banking history, when we became one of the quickest new banks to receive our banking licence.

Challengers vs high street banks – is there a place for both?

Yes, I think there is a place for both. Customers are now far more likely to work with more than one bank than they were 15 years ago. Industry competitiveness is a huge benefit to customers, as they have a much greater choice.

What keeps you up at night/anything on your mind?

When I finish work, I find I still think about the day. I’ve got a keen eye for detail and my mind is always working on the last deal, looking at ways to improve and refine our approach.

What do you do at the weekend?

I’ve got two young grandchildren and I’m an avid and life-long Charlton Athletic fan, so those two passions keep me busy.

I also love to travel and the best place I’ve visited would have to be Vietnam, as it was so marvellously different. Just before lockdown, I spent three weeks in South America and I’m a huge fan of Latin American dancing, which I’ve been doing now for three years. However, I’ve still got two left feet so don’t expect to see me on Strictly anytime soon.

I’ve completed two London marathons and raised more than £8,000 in each race.

What three people, dead or alive, would you invite to your ultimate dinner party?
Winston Churchill

Ricky Ponting

Paula Radcliffe