A pioneering former banking chief who left her last job after a dispute over the 'debanking' of Reform leader Nigel Farage has moved into the legal sector.

Dame Alison Rose today joined London  firm Mishcon de Reya as an adviser, with a focus on the equality, diversity and inclusion strategy.

Rose has more than 30 years’ experience in financial services and was chief executive at the NatWest Group until 2023, when she resigned following the bank’s decision to close Farage’s account at Coutts.

Dame Alison Rose

Rose will mentor Mishcon’s partners and advise the EDI committee

Source: Alamy

She had admitted to making a mistake when she spoke to BBC business editor Simon Jack at an event, leaving him with the impression that the decision to close Farage’s accounts was solely a commercial one. A NatWest investigation cleared her of misconduct.

In her new role with Mishcon, Rose will mentor a small number of partners as well as working closely with the EDI committee.

Vanessa Dewhurst, partner and chief people officer for the firm, said: ‘Advisers of Alison’s calibre and leadership are rare and we couldn’t be happier that we will enjoy the benefit of her expertise, particularly given our commitment to delivering on our ambitious EDI targets.

‘We are looking forward to making the most of the significant experience that Alison will bring to this role, and I warmly welcome her to the firm.’

Rose has previously served on the prime minister’s business council, the government’s energy efficiency taskforce and the Net Zero Council. She was also invited by the UK government to lead a review of the barriers to women starting businesses and launched the Rose Review in March 2019, which she then updated annually to detail progress on female entrepreneurship.

She was made a dame in the 2023 New Year Honours list for services to the financial services sector.

 

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