Alison Rose, the former chief executive of NatWest, has taken a job as an adviser to one of the UK’s top law firms as she tries to return to the City after a career-damaging row with Nigel Farage last year.
Rose is joining Mishcon de Reya as a diversity and inclusion adviser, a role that will involve mentoring some of the firm’s partners. She will also work closely with the equity, diversity and inclusion committee at the firm, which is known for having represented Diana, Princess of Wales during her divorce.
It will mark Rose’s second appointment in the City since her departure from NatWest last year. She joined the private equity group Charterhouse as an adviser in June.
Rose’s growing portfolio is part of an attempt to revive her reputation and career after being forced to quit NatWest after a row between the bank and Farage.
The controversy began when Coutts, the NatWest-owned private bank for the ultra-wealthy, planned to shut Farage’s bank accounts, and snowballed after the former Ukip leader obtained internal documents that showed the bank had concerns over his political views. The scandal escalated when it emerged that Rose had discussed Farage’s case with a BBC journalist, and she later stepped down.
She was forced to forgo £7.6m in pay from NatWest, though independent lawyers hired by the bank concluded she had made an “an honest mistake” in speaking with the BBC and that concerns over Farage’s political views were not the driving factor in the decision to shut his accounts.
Rose had spent 27 years working her way up from a graduate trainee position to become NatWest’s first female chief executive in 2019.
The Mishcon de Reya partner and chief people officer, Vanessa Dewhurst, said the firm was delighted that Rose had agreed to join it. “Advisers of Alison’s calibre and leadership are rare and we couldn’t be happier that we will enjoy the benefit of her expertise, particularly given our commitment to delivering on our ambitious EDI [equity, diversity and inclusion] targets,” she said.
“We are looking forward to making the most of the significant experience that Alison will bring to this role, and I warmly welcome her to the firm.”
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A spokesperson for Farage, who gained a seat in parliament during the July election, said Farage “wished Mishcon de Reya the best of luck with their new employee”.
A spokesperson for Rose was contacted for comment.
