Benny Higgins, the former chief executive of Tesco Bank, is making a powerful case for universal access to the arts, drawing from his own transformative experience growing up in a Glasgow housing project. The banking executive turned arts advocate believes that cultural engagement has the power to fundamentally change people's lives, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Higgins' personal journey from a working-class neighborhood in Glasgow to the executive suite of one of Britain's major financial institutions was shaped not by the typical pursuits of his peers, but by an unexpected passion for literature. While many of his childhood friends gravitated toward football and other sports common in their community, Higgins found himself drawn to books and reading, a hobby that would prove pivotal in his personal and professional development.
The former banking chief's advocacy for arts accessibility stems from his belief that cultural experiences should not be limited to those with economic advantages or privileged backgrounds. His own story serves as compelling evidence that exposure to literature and the arts can open doors and create opportunities that might otherwise remain closed to young people from disadvantaged communities.
Higgins' transition from the corporate world to arts advocacy represents a broader movement among business leaders who recognize the transformative power of cultural engagement. His emphasis on making arts accessible to everyone reflects a growing understanding that creative expression and cultural participation are not luxury items but essential components of personal development and social mobility.
