Barclays

Barclays in brief

• Rank: #17 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #2 of 9 in Banking & Financial Services.
• WCRC Power Score: 68.32 out of 100.
• Founded: 1690, by John Freame and Thomas Gould.
• Owner: Barclays PLC, London, England.
• Leadership: C.S. Venkatakrishnan, Group Chief Executive.
• Latest revenue: £29.1bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +8.8%), group revenue of Barclays PLC, as per company filings.

What makes Barclays powerful

Barclays combines one of Britain's biggest high-street banks with a global investment bank that competes with Wall Street firms. In 2025 total income rose 9% to £29.1bn and profit before tax climbed 13% to £9.1bn, ahead of market expectations. That breadth of income, from UK mortgages and Barclaycard to trading and advisory work, helps cushion the group when any one market weakens.

The bank is also returning more capital to shareholders. It announced a new buyback of up to £1bn and set a target of a return on tangible equity above 14% by 2028, after above 12% in 2026. More than three centuries after its founding in the City of London, its blue eagle is a familiar symbol in British finance.

Barclays made a profit before tax of £9.1bn in 2025.

Why Barclays ranks #17

Barclays ranks 17th with a WCRC Power Score of 68.32, just below Wise and ahead of BAE Systems. Positioning and recall (76) is its strongest pillar, and digital and financial strength (74) reflects record 2025 income and profit. Product (68) is solid, but trust (62) and sustainability and governance (62) are its weakest pillars and keep it out of the top 15.

The Achilles' heel

Barclays is more exposed to the swings of investment banking than its domestic peers, so a weaker year for trading or deal-making would hit profits quickly. It also relies on UK consumers and businesses for much of its lending, leaving returns sensitive to the economy, interest rates and credit quality. Meeting its higher 2028 return target depends on all of these holding up.

The 2026 story

In February 2026 Barclays reported 2025 total income of £29.1bn and pre-tax profit of £9.1bn, ahead of expectations. It announced a share buyback of up to £1bn starting in the first quarter, planned a £2bn total dividend for 2026, and set targets for a return on tangible equity above 12% in 2026 and above 14% by 2028. C.S. Venkatakrishnan remains group chief executive.

Pillar profile

Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.

Versus its nearest rivals

Questions people ask

Also featured in

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• UK's 50 Most Valuable Brands
• Biggest British Brands by Revenue
• Iconic British Heritage Brands
• Most Famous British Brands
• Most Innovative British Brands
• Fastest-Growing British Brands
• Most powerful brands in England

Key facts

Sources

• Revenue figure published by Barclays PLC
• Company website, official announcements and press releases
• Published interviews and statements by the leadership
• WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data