COUTTS & CO APPOINTS NEW REGIONAL CHAIRMAN FOR CAMBRIDGE AND EAST ANGLIA

26^th January 2004

Coutts & Co, the UK’s leading private bank, has announced the appointment of Peter Ibbetson as its Regional Chairman in Cambridge.

With over 30 years experience in the financial services industry, Peter has recently retired as the Head of Business Banking at NatWest. In addition to this he also currently holds a number of directorships, including, Director of the Local Investment Fund, Chairman of the Princes Trust Cambridgeshire Board as well as holding membership of the Government’s Small Business Investment Taskforce.

In his role as regional chairman, Peter will help Coutts continue to develop strong relationships with clients throughout the Cambridgeshire and East Anglian regions. Working closely with Martin Buckley, senior private banker at Coutts in Cambridge, Peter will continue to help raise awareness of Coutts’ wealth management services within the local business community.

Commenting on the appointment, Rob Taylor, head of private banking at Coutts, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Peter has joined us as regional chairman for Cambridge, where we are seeing a significant increase in demand for wealth management services. With his strong links to the local business community and his wealth of experience representing different companies at board level, he will be a great asset to us."

Peter Ibbertson added: "I am really looking forward to working with the Coutts team here in Cambridge and throughout East Anglia. Coutts has an unrivalled reputation for providing clients with expert wealth management services, and the rise in demand for the services Coutts provides is a great testament to growth of wealth in the region."

Ends

For further information please contact:

Claire Symonds, Press Officer, Coutts & Co on 020 7957 2650 or mobile 07970 001149, or e-mail claire.symonds@coutts.com.

Notes to editors:

Coutts & Co

1. Coutts & Co is the UK private banking arm of the Coutts Group, an international private banking group owned by The Royal Bank of Scotland Group.
1. The Coutts Group manages the wealth of 75,000 high net worth clients from a network of 24 offices in the UK and 13 internationally.
2. Coutts offers clients a range of products and services covering sophisticated investment products together with expertise in trust and fiduciary services and UK tax and banking services.
3. Coutts & Co is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England No. 36695. Registered office: 440 Strand, London WC2R 0QS.

Peter Ibbetson

Current positions include:

• Member of Small Business Investment Taskforce (Public Appointment)

• Director Royal Bank of Scotland Group Pension Fund

• Director Local Investment Fund

• Director Farming and Agricultural Finance

• Chairman Prince’s Trust Cambridgeshire Board, and Eastern region Council Member

• Panel Member ACAS

• Chairman British Bankers Association Small Firms Panel

• Trustee Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy