John Varley Quotations

The profit growth in the first half demonstrates that our strategy is delivering strongly.

Leadership that's reliant on mergers and acquisitions is dangerous leadership.

We have delivered what we said we would deliver, ... We have got very strong profit growth in a number of our businesses.

Our expectation looking forward is that risk will rise broadly in line with the size of the loan book as it has over the last 12 months,

Barclays delivered strong and broadly based profit growth in 2005. We made good progress in the UK and are well positioned across the group for further growth in 2006.

As we continue to increase earnings, we continue to invest for the future.

It was nearly as contentious as wolf reintroduction.

I'm looking for high growth rates. The powerful banking forces of the next 10 years will have lead to a big exposure to one or more of Brazil, Russia, India or China. We have exposure at the moment in both India and China and I'd like to see that exposure grow.

I am pleased to report that 2005 was another record year for Barclays.

The UK is a vital part of the bank, and we won't achieve our goals unless the UK business is successful. But I expect the rate of growth of our international business to exceed the rate of growth of our UK businesses.