Hester said: "It is an impressive, well-run business with great people and excellent customer franchises. It can play an important role as we return the RBS group to standalone strength." Hester is also reviewing all aspects of the RBS business, which spans the globe and has extensive investment banking business following the acquisition of ABN Amro as the credit crunch began to bite 18 months ago. The boardroom purge should make it easier to push through change. The other executive directors on the board for much of Goodwin's tenure have already gone or are about to leave. The retirement of Larry Fish, who ran the US operations, which grew rapidly through acquisition, was already due in April, while Mark Fisher, who oversaw the integration of ABN Amro, left to join the new Lloyds Banking Group. Johnny Cameron, who ran the global markets division, has already left the board and will leave the bank later this month.