
Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down – Nil Illegitimi Carborundum
Ronald Harford’s Recollections of his Life as a Caribbean Banker
Memoir. “Nil Illegitimi Carborundum – Don’t let the bastards grind you down!” Guided by this motto (and a couple of others), Ronald Harford embarked at the age of 17 to become a banker in Trinidad and Tobago. His career at first Barclays Bank and then Republic Bank was to span more than five decades, and lead him to become the managing director and chairman of Republic Bank. In this memoir he remembers some of the people he met along the way and the often hilarious moments that they experienced together. He also gives ample space to his family, friends, colleagues and business partners to share what they warned him would be “finally the truth about Ron”!
Mr. Harford’s career at Republic Bank, formerly Barclays Bank D.C.O., spanned 56 years from 1963–2019. During his tenure, beginning with post boy, he served in many different positions and under his supervision many of the present-day features of the financial system, such as credit cards and the Linx machine, were introduced to Trinidad and Tobago. He also spearheaded Republic Bank’s expansion into the wider Caribbean and even into Ghana, Africa, through the acquisition of other banks in various countries.
“Nil Illegitimi Carborundum” is his Memoir, told in the first person, in which he describes the highs and lows of his life in an approachable, easy-to-read language, often using the vernacular. It is a colourful book of an interesting life, and features many photographs of his personal collection.