NATWEST AND THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND

Summary

1.   Keith Bush was internal communication manager for NatWest when they faced takeover bids from the Bank of Scotland and The Royal Bank of Scotland.

2.   Bush had to deal with a large volume of communication from NatWest management, the other companies involved and the government.

3.   Staff needed to be kept up-to-date, especially as there were the consequences of job cuts and intense media interest.

One of the most dramatic business stories of 2000 was The Royal Bank of Scotland's unwelcome takeover of the NatWest Group. The bidding was protracted and complex, and the result was the largest takeover ever seen in the British financial services sector.

Keith Bush, now manager, internal communication, group communications at The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, was an internal communication manager at NatWest Group during the bidding. His team's challenges were legion: communicating the uncertain future, maintaining staff morale, and carrying on day-to-day business, all against a background of rapid change.

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