Bank boss to receive university honour

One of Scotland’s most successful bankers will return to his alma mater when he receives an honorary degree from the University of St Andrews this summer.

Sir George R Mathewson, Executive Deputy Chairman of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, will be presented with a Doctor of Laws (LL.D) at one of the University’s graduation ceremonies in June.

Sir George was born in Dunfermline and attended Perth Academy. He graduated from St Andrews in Mathematics and Applied Physics in 1961 and completed six years of research and lecturing at the University before leaving for the United States with a PhD in Electrical Engineering.

He joined The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc in 1987, was appointed to Deputy Group Chief Executive in June 1990 and became Executive Deputy Chairman in March 2000. His other Directorships include Citizens Financial Group, Inc; Scottish Investment Trust plc and Direct Line Group Limited of which he is Chairman.

Sir George’s accolades include being created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1985; elected to Fellowship of The Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1988; elected to Fellowship of The Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland in 1994 and, in 1999, Sir George was awarded a Knighthood for services to economic development in Scotland and to Scottish banking.

Sir George and his wife Lady Sheila Mathewson have two sons, Magnus and Torquil.

Issued by Beattie Media on behalf of the University of St Andrews For more information, contact Claire Grainger on 01334 462530 or mobile 07887 650072 Ref: hon2000.mathewson/standrews/chg/6ap ril2000/PR1919