Robin Bryant: Curriculum Vitae      

EXPERIENCE AS AN EXPERT BANKING WITNESS

I have been providing expert banking evidence for over 10 years in some 200 cases of litigation involving banks and other lending institutions. Evidence has included lending to companies as well as individuals, commercial mortgages, loans with mortgage indemnity, general banking practices, trade finance and development capital.

I have received instructions from solicitors acting for banks and other lenders and from solicitors acting against banks/lenders. I have been instructed by both Claimants’ and Defendants’ solicitors.

I was a member of the working party, under Sir Louis Blom-Cooper which provided the guidelines for experts, following the reforms of Lord Woolf.

I have been cross-examined eleven times in the High Court and not been criticized by a judge for the evidence given. Neither have I received any complaint from either the barristers or solicitors acting, or from any of the parties to the actions.

While most of the cases in which I have acted have involved UK banks or branches of overseas banks operating in the UK, I have also acted in cases where the transaction took place abroad. I have given evidence overseas on two occasions. I believe that generally speaking most of the practices of banks are universal.

I have provided evidence in a criminal case.

Professional Qualifications

Associate of the Institute of Financial Services (Chartered Institute of Bankers)

Member of the Academy of Experts, Founding Member of the Expert Witness Institute.

CEDR Accredited Mediator and founder member of Specialist Mediators LLP

CAREER  DETAILS

Currently

Robin Bryant Consultancy

Providing advice to the financial services industry and provision of expert banking advice and evidence in respect of some 200 cases of litigation involving lenders.

Link to www.bankexpert.net

2003 to 2008

Specialist Mediators LLP
Designated Member (Partner)

Providing CEDR Accredited mediation services to parties in commercial dispute

Link to www.specialistmediators.org

1992 to 2001

Property Recovery Team

Partner in a commercial and industrial property (including hotels) lending recovery service to lenders. Clients included Barclays Bank and Lloyds TSB.  Also Expert Banking Witness (see above)

1989 to 1991

Riggs AP Bank Limited
Banking Director

This was the British subsidiary of The Riggs National Bank of Washington DC.

Responsible for the lending activities of the Bank and deputised for the managing director in his absence. Wrote the Bank’s lending guidelines. 

Specifically, responsibilities included:

  • Corporate and Finance Sector lending

  • Trade Finance

  • Instalment Credit

  • Commercial Property lending

  • Mortgage lending

  • Overall control of the Bank’s lending policies and exposures

  • Senior member of the Bank’s Credit Committee

  • Marketing programmes

  • Personal authority of £500,000

  • Control of 55 employees

1987 to 1989

N M Rothschild & Sons Limited (NMR), Manchester Office
Assistant Director

This is the major merchant bank in the North of England.

Responsibilities:

  • All lending, including property and other business sectors, syndicated and club loans

  • Membership of the Northern Board

  • Member of the London Credit Committee responsible for all NMR lending

  • 15 staff  

1986 to 1987 

Standard Chartered Bank Plc
Regional Manager

Northern New Business Unit and Manager of the Manchester Branch.

Responsibilities:

  • Control of the largest and most profitable branch outside London

  • Lending to a range of manufacturing and service  industry companies – trade finance

  • 80 employees

  • 5 man new business team covering North of England and Scotland

1970 to 1986

County Bank Limited
Director

Joined County Bank in London in its second year of operation. At the date of leaving it had grown to employ some 2000 employees. During the 16 years employed, gained experience in all aspects of corporate lending including private company equity (venture capital) and was progressively promoted to board level in 1981.

1984 to 1986

Based in London, managed two lending teams of 30 staff, negotiating and managing loans totalling £200 million and controlled lending in English branch offices. Sanctioning authority £1.5 million.

1981 to 1984

Based in Leeds and responsible for the Bank’s branch office covering Yorkshire and the North East. Staff of 12. Activities included corporate lending and corporate advice and private company investment (venture capital).

1970 to 1981

Began by assisting in the negotiating of new loans, particularly in the property sector. Appointed Assistant Director in 1978. In charge of a team of 10 staff, lending to medium to large companies in leisure, property, manufacturing and service sectors. Handled syndicated and club loan transactions. Deals included private company equity transactions (venture capital). Prepared the Bank’s guidelines for lending and procedural systems.

1960 to 1970

Westminster Bank Limited (National Westminster Bank PLC)

Clerical duties.

PERSONAL DETAILS

Nationality and Date of Birth: British - 6th November 1944

Marital status:                         Married with two adult children

Education:                              Priory School, Banstead and St John’s School, Leatherhead


OUTSIDE INTERESTS

I am Chairman of Petworth Festival, an arts festival that takes place annually in July/August. www.petworthfestival.org.uk Petworth Festival is a company limited by Guarantee, Registered number:  5710001. The registered Charity number is 1113784.

I am interested in politics, opera, ballet, theatre, most other performing arts, visual arts, antiques, most sports and keeping fit.