Top changes at RBS

Guy Whittaker, group treasurer of Citigroup, was today confirmed as successor to Fred Watt as group finance director of Royal Bank of Scotland. Sir Tom McKillop, chief executive of drug company AstraZeneca, was appointed to replace Sir George Mathewson as RBS' chairman.

Banking sources told Financial News last week that Whittaker, who has been at Citigroup for 25 years, was set to be appointed as finance director of RBS.

He will replace Watt on February 1 when the bank announces its annual results.

Watt said in June he was leaving for personal reasons.

Whittaker has held various positions at Citigroup besides group treasurer, including UK treasurer, regional treasurer for Europe, and global head of foreign exchange and sales trading.

McKillop, who is currently deputy-chairman of RBS and a non-executive director of oil company BP, will take his new job when Mathewson retires, after the group's annual general meeting on April 28 next year.

He will step down from his position as chief executive of AstraZeneca on December 31, Royal Bank of Scotland said in a statement today.

Mathewson will retain a role as adviser to RBS after his retirement.