Carla Antunes da Silva | Chief Executive Officer, Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets, Lloyds Banking Group

Few leaders speak of their formative years with the clarity and warmth that Carla Antunes da Silva, Chief Executive Officer of Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets, brings when reflecting on her time at St Julian’s School. Describing it as one of the most defining pillars of her life, from unforgettable sports events and ski trips to the lifelong friendships that still keep her connected across continents, Carla credits the school with giving her both a sense of belonging and the courage to aspire beyond the expected. It was here, through the breadth of the IB Diploma and a pivotal conversation with then-headmaster Mr. Bull, that the trajectory of her future shifted, setting her on the path toward an international career and leadership at one of the UK’s most influential financial institutions. In this interview, she opens up about those early inspirations, the challenges and rewards of leading through complexity, and the values that have guided her remarkable journey.

Interview

What was it like attending St. Julian’s?

It was one of the most defining aspects of my formation - from life long friendships to a sense of belonging which has stayed with me throughout life. It also gave me the confidence and courage to aim for something more than simply what was expected and in front of us. 

Is there a memory you hold dear from St. Julian's?

The many sports games and events- as well as some very fun ski trips. 

How did your experience at St. Julian’s, particularly the IB Diploma, shape you?

The IB was relatively new at that point and the curriculum allowed a broad and in depth understanding of several subjects. Coming from a relatively traditional Portuguese background, it allowed me to step into an international context, even though that was not the plan initially. It was a conversation in my first year of the IB, with the then headmaster of the school, Mr Bull, who suggested I should apply to Oxford. That conversation was a sliding door moment and was to change the course of my future life. 

What are your career highlights and/ or achievements?

Having worked in banking for over 25 years it is a sector I thoroughly enjoy, and so career highlights tend to be associated with having gone through several financial crisis and hopefully becoming a deeper subject matter expert as a result.

Did you have any favourite teachers?

One of my favourite was Mrs Gottchalk who taught us Portuguese main language at a higher level. Mr Hamilton who taught History was also very engaging. 

Do you still keep in touch with your colleagues from St. Julian’s?

Yes - we are a very tight group and have an active WhatsApp group with over 50 people from across the world on it. We also regularly meet up in smaller groups and Marta Coruche is the glue that gets us all organised every Christmas.

Did attending St Julian's influence your career path in any way? 

It gave me the opportunity to have an international career at a time when that was not an obvious path. 

Do you think St Julian's is a school that fosters curiosity in its students?

Absolutely, my niece is there at this moment and I can see that the school continues to allow students to explore what they care about most and to be inquisitive about the world. 

What challenges have you faced when trying to oversee the team responsible for the Group Strategy, Corporate Development & IR Director of Lloyds Bank? And now, as CEO at Lloyds Bank Corporate Bank? 

The most important aspect of any role is the team you have - one is only as good as our team and you need a clear strategy and direction. There are many things you can not control and so you have to keep a resilient mindset, especially during adverse times, and have the humility that you can always do better and learn from every interaction. Always remember that encouraging people and giving them a target they sometimes find impossible, often gets everyone working together in a way that exceeds everyone’s expectations.