Gifford was the UK head of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB) from 2000 and was also a Patron of the financial and enterprise education charity "MyBnk".

[citation needed] Gifford started his career in finance with SG Warburg (1978–82), working in international banking and capital markets.

A former chairman of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce (UK) and of the Association of Foreign Banks (UK), he was a Chair of St Paul's Cathedral Council, Founding Chair of the City Music Foundation,[3] the English Chamber Orchestra charity and the Tenebrae Choir,[4] among other Arts involvements.

Sir Roger joined the Bank Workers Charity Trustee Board in 2011 and, following his term as Lord Mayor of London, was appointed its President on 1 March 2014.

"[6] While Lord Mayor, he carried the Mourning Sword at the funeral of Margaret Thatcher, leading the Queen and Prince Philip in and out of St Paul's Cathedral for the ceremony.