NatWest boss Dame Alison Rose has stepped down as chief executive effective immediately after she admitted to being the source of an inaccurate story about Nigel Farage’s bank account.
Her four-year tenure as chief executive has ended in ignominy over her admission that she had discussed Mr Farage’s bank details with a BBC journalist.
Howard Davies, chairman of the NatWest Group, said on Wednesday that the board and Dame Alison agreed by “mutal consent” that she would step down from the role.
He said it was a “sad moment”.
In a 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.”
The board also announced that Paul Thwaite, the current chief executive of the company’s commercial and institutional business, will take over chief executive responsibilities for an initial period of 12 months, pending regulatory approval.
It said a process to appoint a permanent successor will take place in due course.
