Speaking at the Goldman Sachs European Financials Conference, Thwaite said: "I was encouraged, and we've been engaging with the current opposition quite extensively, that the shadow chancellor earlier this week visited our premises and said she had no plans to deviate from the current plan, which is to sell the whole shareholding down by 2025 to 2026." He added: "Given the progress we've made ... I'm pretty pleased with the trajectory and we'll hit that plan, irrespective of whether a retail offer happens or not." The Government's initial ambition to begin a public sale of NatWest shares this summer was hindered by the calling of the General Election scheduled for July 4, resulting in retail share offerings being postponed until after the national election. Mr Thwaite said he wanted to digitise and automate more of the bank's engagement with customers, which could include reducing the reliance on call centres.