Nick Leeson (Exhibit 7.1) came from humble origins compared to most of
Barings’ officers. He had no family ties to the nobility, did not attend Eton,
and did not serve in the Coldstream Guards.The son of a Watford plasterer,
Leeson’s first job at Barings was as a clerk, but he rose swiftly. His big break
came when he was sent to the Barings’ Indonesian office to sort out a