Year 11 Pupils Attend Inspiring Hale Lecture with CEO of Coutts

On Tuesday evening, we had the pleasure of taking a group of Year 11 pupils to Francis Holland Regent’s Park for the first Hale Lecture of 2026. The event brought together 100 pupils, including guests from St Marylebone School and Wetherby Senior School, for an inspiring and engaging conversation with Emma Crystal, CEO of Coutts Bank.

Emma shared her career journey, from studying Economics & Business to becoming Chief Sustainability Officer at Credit Suisse, before stepping into her current role as CEO of Coutts. She challenged the idea of a ‘linear’ career path, encouraging pupils to embrace change, take risks, and remain open to unexpected opportunities.

A fantastic pupil-led panel explored a range of topical issues, including the use of AI in banking, ethical responsibility, sustainability in modern financial strategy, and how women navigate leadership in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

The Hale Lecture series is a distinctive and enriching part of life at Francis Holland Regent’s Park, offering pupils the chance to ask thoughtful questions, gain invaluable advice, and begin mapping out their own future career paths—guided by trailblazing female leaders.