Wellington Place is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s a thriving community powered by people. Our People of Wellington Place series aims to spotlight our community, share their inspirational stories and find out why Wellington Place is much more than a place to work.
Interview with Adam Sanders, one of six Lloyds Banking Group colleagues at Wellington Place who took part in the 100km Sahara Trek, raising over £544,000 for CRISIS.
As part of Lloyds Banking Group’s ambitious fundraising efforts for its charity partner CRISIS, a UK charity that works to end homelessness, a team of colleagues from Wellington Place took on a once-in-a-lifetime challenge: trekking 100km across the Sahara Desert. Together, they raised an incredible total of £544,480.
We caught up with Adam Sanders, one of the participants, to find out more about the trek, the cause, and what training is needed in the lead up to such an impressive challenge. Adam is also a leading voice in Lloyds Banking Group’s Neurodiversity Community, supporting colleagues and championing greater understanding and inclusion across the business.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and current role?
I’ve been with Lloyds since 2000, starting out on a graduate placement. I’ve lived in Leeds for 18 years now and absolutely love the city.
I work in software licensing, helping to optimise how we consume software in the group. It’s a role that touches every part of the business, which means I get to collaborate with a wide range of people.
What’s your favourite thing about your role?
The people. The diversity of the teams and the connections we make across the business are what keep things interesting. There’s no area we don’t interact with, and that sense of working together towards a shared goal is something I really enjoy.
Is there a key lesson you’ve learned during your career that’s stayed with you?
One of the most important things I’ve learned is that everyone is human. No matter how senior someone is or what title they hold, they don’t have all the answers, and they don’t pretend to. Early in my career, hierarchy felt intimidating, but over time I realised that we’re all just people trying to do our best.
Once you take away the job titles and the organisational structure, conversations become much more open and genuine. Approaching people as equals, whether you’re chatting in the office or bumping into them in a coffee shop, builds confidence and connection. It’s a mindset that’s helped me massively throughout my career.
Can you tell us more about the Sahara Trek?
The Sahara Trek was the signature challenge in support of CRISIS, Lloyds’ charity partner, in 2025. 90 colleagues from across the business, including us six from Wellington Place, flew out to Morocco in November. After an eight-hour drive into the desert, we trekked 100km over five days. It was a fully contained challenge as everything from food and water to medical support was carried with us. On the fourth day, we planted 90 date trees in partnership with the Woodland Trust, contributing to the local environment.
Tell us more about CRISIS. Why was it chosen?
We’re supporting CRISIS, a charity that works to end homelessness. It’s been our charity partner for three years now, and in that time, Lloyds has raised over £4 million for the cause.
The average life expectancy for someone experiencing homelessness in the UK is just 47 for men and 43 for women. This challenge is about going beyond our day-to-day actions and investing in long-term solutions to end homelessness.
You’re also involved in Lloyds’ neurodiversity community – can you tell us more?
I’m part of Lloyds’ Access Network, which includes our Neurodiversity Community, and I’m the local lead for Leeds. Neurodiversity is a huge part of my life as both a colleague and a parent-carer, and it’s something I’m really passionate about.
We’re working to build awareness, remove barriers and celebrate the strengths neurodivergent colleagues bring. One thing I’ve learned is that it’s never about intelligence or ability, it’s about how people approach work, and how we support them. Being part of a community where everyone feels understood and accepted has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career.
What’s something exciting that most people may not know about you?
I’m a massive Bruce Springsteen fan! This year, I’ll have seen him at all five of his UK gigs. Three in Manchester, and two at Anfield! Bruuuucccceee!!!!!
What three words sum up Wellington Place to you and why?
Community – Wellington Place is much more than a place to work; it brings people together. From yoga sessions to beekeeping, there’s a real drive to create a community.
Green – The green spaces are a huge part of that. Whether it’s the square, the terraces or the allotments, there’s a clear commitment to sustainability.
Coffee – We have so much choice when it comes to good coffee. From Caffe Nero and Pret A Manger, to Bean Coffee and Sociable Folk, we’re truly spoilt for choice.
Thank you to Adam for taking part in People of Wellington Place! If you’d like to take part in the series, please email info@wellingtonplace.co.uk
