The Nigel Farage Coutts Bank battle claimed its highest profile scalp today, with the resignation of NatWest chief executive, Dame Alison Rose.
The UK’s leading female banker had come under increasing pressure after it emerged that she was the source for a BBC story about Farage’s bank account, for which she was forced to apologise.
Coutts, part of the NatWest Group, had insisted that Farage’s political views were not the reason his account had been “exited”.
But a subject access request by Farage unearthed internal Coutts documents that showed his political views did play a part in the decision to close his account.
In a resignation statement, Dame Alison said: “I remain immensely proud of the progress the bank has made in supporting people, families and business across the UK, and building the foundations for sustainable growth. My NatWest colleagues are central to that success, and so I would like to personally thank them for all that they have done.”
Howard Davies, chairman of the NatWest Group Board, said: “The Board and Alison Rose have agreed, by mutual consent, that she will step down as CEO of the NatWest Group. It is a sad moment. She has dedicated all her working life so far to NatWest and will leave many colleagues who respect and admire her.”
The board has appointed Paul Thwaite, current chief executive of NatWest’s commercial and institutional business, to lead the group for an initial period of 12 months.
