RBS could appoint first ever female boss if McEwan goes

Following last week’s reports that Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive Ross McEwan could be poached by his former employers Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), rumours have now surfaced suggesting the Edinburgh bank is preparing to meet such an eventuality with the appointment of its first female boss.

Yesterday The Sunday Times, citing sources close to the lender, reported that Alison Rose, currently head of commercial and private banking at the 73 per cent state-owned bank, has been identified as the internal favourite to replace McEwan, should he jump-ship.

Other contenders named in the report included head of personal banking Les Matheson and finance chief Ewen Stevenson.

And sources quoted also played down the likelihood of McEwan leaving at this stage.

Goodbody banking analyst John Cronin said: “While Alison Rose certainly sounds like a credible contender for the CEO position at RBS, it seems to me to be premature for the rumour mill to come into play.

“While Mr McEwan has been linked with the CEO vacancy at CBA it is still just speculation at this juncture as to whether he will go.

“Nonetheless, it makes sense for interested parties to ensure that shareholders are comfortable that a suitable replacement can easily be secured in the event that McEwan were to depart.”

RBS has declined to comment.