Tell us about the region the Board covers?
Since our foundation in 1727, the Royal Bank of Scotland has been supporting the Scottish economy and helping Scottish people and businesses manage their finances. Today, we bank around one in three businesses, one in five people, and one in seven mortgages.
Headquartered in Scotland’s capital, the bank is one of the largest private sector employers in Scotland, with 11,000 colleagues across the country and other major hubs in Glasgow, and Greenock.
In 2025, our commitment to the people, families, and businesses who call Scotland home remains as strong as ever. We support our customers and the Scottish economy by removing barriers to enterprise and championing a diversity of businesses, from start-ups to large corporates.
From Lerwick to Lockerbie, our branch network, mobile branches, banking hubs, and face-to-face relationship managers connect with customers across widespread regions and key sectors of the Scottish economy, including agriculture, hospitality and leisure, and food and drink.
What are the unique ways the Board helps support local business and the regional economy?
The Scotland Board is one of seven across the UK that looks to deliver NatWest Group’s strategy at a local level. The Board works to support and serve our customers, communities, and colleagues across Scotland, using local knowledge and convening power to create networks and connections that allow us to listen to, and be led by, our customers’ needs.
The Board is made up of a range of senior leaders from across our customer-facing businesses and group functions to foster a culture of collaboration and engagement, working towards good outcomes for customers, communities and colleagues.
We also have two Accelerator hubs in Scotland – one in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow – supporting a wide variety of entrepreneurs across the country to grow and scale their businesses. The Board regularly interacts with entrepreneurs on the Accelerator programme, facilitating roundtable sessions with senior leaders and enabling a variety of themed discussions (from AI and technology, to sector-specific interests). We aim to facilitate introductions and support wherever possible to help these businesses scale sustainably.
How is the Board bringing us closer to our customers?
We regularly take the Scotland Board ‘on the road’ – visiting our customers and communities in cities and towns across Scotland. In 2025, we’ve visited Aberdeen and supported the team in North & Highlands to officially open the new RBS flagship city-centre branch in Inverness.
Financial Foundations has been one of the Board’s standout initiatives throughout 2025. The free programme focuses on empowering adults to better manage their finances. We have around 100 facilitators in Scotland – who deliver training on top of their day job – and so far, we have provided around 150 workshops, reaching over 1,500 people.
The Royal Bank of Scotland’s partnership with the Royal Highland Show is another key way in which we connect with customers and engage with a vital sector of the Scottish economy. We’re longstanding partners of the show (since 1981), and each year we have a significant number of bank colleagues volunteering, handing out prizes, raising funds for charitable organisations, and, of course, hosting customers and stakeholders. We have a strong branch team on-site across all four days of the show, providing banking and support services to attendees.
The Royal Bank of Scotland is also the headline partner of the Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards – an annual event that celebrates the best of the region’s tourism and hospitality industry. Additionally, Royal Bank of Scotland supports Scottish EDGE, a competition designed to identify and nurture Scotland's most innovative start-ups. This partnership underscores Royal Bank of Scotland’s dedication to fostering economic growth and empowering the next generation of Scottish businesses. Meanwhile, as the strategic partner to FinTech Scotland (since 2018), the bank aims to help establish Scotland’s place as a global fintech centre.
What impact has the Board had on its regional community?
Supporting regional communities is essential for fostering resilience, enhancing well-being, and promoting social cohesion. Initiatives that contribute to this create tangible impacts that uplift local populations, enable grassroots organisations, and strengthen community ties.
In 2023 we donated £160,000 to grassroots charities in Scotland via the Helping Hand fund. This funding empowered small, local organisations to address the specific needs of their community, directly benefiting those in need.
We also raised £50,000 for Marie Curie during our 2024 ‘One Week in September’ event, supporting patients and families facing terminal illness to receive the support and services they deserve. This initiative not only raises funds but also raises awareness about the importance of compassionate care in our communities.
Looking ahead, we are well on our way to meeting our target of raising £100,000 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) throughout 2025. Supporting CHAS helps provide essential care for children with life-limiting conditions and offers families in Scotland the support they need during challenging times.
Lastly, our support for the bank’s Local Collaboration Hubs across eight locations in Scotland demonstrates our belief in the power of community-driven solutions. The hubs act as vital resource centres, bringing together local stakeholders to share knowledge, coordinate efforts, and collectively address community challenges.
What next for the Board?
The Board is committed to supporting our customers, communities, and businesses in Scotland through a series of innovative initiatives that address local needs and create opportunities. We’ll be continuing to visit towns and cities across Scotland, meeting with customers and communities to foster collaboration.
We’re also actively championing talent development programmes, to nurture the skills of graduates and apprentices across Scotland and support our young people into work. This includes supporting local careers events which ensure that young people are equipped with the knowledge and connections needed to thrive in today’s job market.
The Board is also committed to enhancing financial capability among young people and customers through initiatives like Royal Bank Thrive and Financial Foundations. These programmes are designed to provide essential financial education, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their financial futures.
The Board's ongoing efforts in talent development, financial capability, and strategic collaboration reflect a forward-thinking commitment to the future of Scotland, with the intention that the region thrives in an evolving landscape.
