By Iain Withers
The chairman of NatWest Howard Davies, one of the most storied figures in UK finance, said on Tuesday he would leave the British bank by next year, paving the way for a leadership revamp at the lender still around 40% owned by the UK taxpayer.
At NatWest’s annual investor meeting in Edinburgh, banking veteran Davies said it was an appropriate time to start a search for his successor, as he approaches nine years as chairman – the recommended limit under UK corporate governance rules.