The bank chief who was forced to resign over her central role in Nigel Farage's bank cancellation and media briefing scandal has been taken over by the same law firm that previously represented her and ran the “equality, diversity and inclusion” programme.
Alison Rose, one of the UK's most senior chief executives, who secretly gave journalists information about one of her clients, Brexit leader Nigel Farage, has continued to take up new roles since the scandal, joining a major law firm just months after taking a job at a private equity firm.
Leading UK law firm Michon de Rais, which represented Mr Rose when he left NatWest in the wake of the Farage bank closure scandal, said through chief people officer Vanessa Dewhurst that it was “delighted” that the scandal-hit business leader had joined the firm. “Advisors of Alison's calibre and leadership are rare and we couldn't be more pleased to benefit from her expertise, particularly given our efforts to achieve our ambitious EDI targets,” Ms Dewhurst said.
Rose will serve as an adviser to the company's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which works to promote diversity at the company. The Daily Telegraph stateHe said this would include increasing “the number of women in senior management roles… and the proportion of black and disadvantaged people”.
Rose was a longtime British business figure, having a long career at what became the national bank NatWest, and chairing the government commission on “the barriers women face in starting and growing their own businesses” (later renamed after her downfall). But she gained attention in 2023 when the bank she chaired sent a letter to Brexit spokesman Nigel Farage informing him that it would close his account. She then made headlines when it emerged that Rose had personally intervened in the case, leaking sensitive personal financial details and “misleading information” about Farage to journalists.
This was in breach of UK law and Rose resigned. He stood to lose an estimated £10 million in salary and bonuses upon his resignation and was represented by Michon de Rais in the ensuing pay dispute. Rose ultimately forfeited £7.5 million.
