Green Flag chief leaves as part of restructure at RBS

Green Flag managing director Andy Watson has left the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) -owned breakdown service as part of a wider restructure at RBS Group. It is not known whether Watson, who has been in the role for less than 18 months, has a job to go to.

His departure comes mid-way through a review of Green Flag’s £10m aboveand below-the-line accounts. A spokesman confirms that Watson has left the company but says that marketing director Hilary Williams is not affected by the restructure at this stage.

Watson left his role as general insurance director of the Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) in the summer of 2005 to replace Chris Moat as managing director of RBS-owned UKI Partnerships, which manages the Green Flag brand. He joined CIS in February 2004 after leaving Direct Line, another RBS brand.

RBS Group is also restructuring its retail banking operations and has regrouped its marketing department. The changes are part of the integration of the NatWest and RBS brands, and see managing director of retail products and marketing Paul Geddes promoted to chief executive of retail markets.

Geddes will be replaced by NatWest marketing director Helen Page, who becomes marketing director of retail markets.

Green Flag began approaching agencies about its above-the-line, direct marketing and digital accounts at the start of December. The business is handled by MRM Partners and the review is being overseen by Creative Brief. The Green Flag spokesman says the review is progressing and is not affected by the management changes.