RBS International, one of the biggest employers in the island, has confirmed it has officially appointed a new person at the helm in the Isle of Man.

Paul Smith assumes responsibility for all of the bank’s local operations including Isle of Man Bank.

Manxman Paul joined RBS International 35 years ago as an office assistant, in its days as Williams and Glyn’s.

Since then he’s gained extensive experience across the business, working in branch banking, relationship management and services initially, before assuming a number of strategic and operational roles.

Paul has undertaken a number of secondments during his time with RBS International, including in Jersey in a customer strategy role and in Amsterdam designing and implementing a payment risk and investigation strategy. He also spent two years as head of payment operations for Ulster Bank in Ireland.

Alongside his role as country head, he’s also responsible for the delivery of payment services across RBS International. Locally, RBS International says he leads 504 employees.

They are in Howard Pearson House at Summerhill Office Park, Victoria Road, Douglas, along with Regent Street and Athol Street in Douglas, and bank branches in Ramsey, Castletown, Peel and Port Erin.

Paul leads a senior leadership team including Chris Corkill (head of corporate and commercial), Ian Perry (director - head of business and premium banking), Stuart Watson (head of financial and corporate services), Stuart Chivers (head of mortgages) and Deniese Smith (area manager - branch banking).

Paul said: ’As a Manxman I’m incredibly proud to be named as country head of a local bank for local people.

’Many of my senior leadership team have also been with the business for a long time, and work hard to build lasting relationships with our customers both old and new..

’RBS International has a significant operation on the island across its brand portfolio, and really does offer a broad range of career opportunities for our employees.

’It’s an exciting time for our bank as we embrace regulatory change and develop our digital proposition, and I’m looking forward to meeting more of our customers’ needs as we move forward.’

Mr Smith took over from Bill Shimmins who left the bank to pursue a political career and was elected as an MHK in last year’s island general election.

Paul Smith now leads 504 employees in the island meaning RBS is one of the biggest employers in the island