Stalwart at Yorkshire Bank leaves after 33 years’ service

She is the latest senior figure to depart the Australian-owned lender.

Mrs Myers, a well-known member of the Yorkshire business community, joined the bank at 16 and worked her way up from office junior to become divisional director at National Australia Group Europe.

Her departure was announced to staff yesterday morning.

John Hooper, director for Yorkshire Bank, said: “Kath joined Yorkshire Bank straight from school as a trainee branch cashier and has worked in a variety of roles and functions in a career spanning more than 30 years.

“Having successfully launched our new payments division, Kath is now moving on to new pastures.

“I should like to thank her for all her efforts and the wonderful contribution she has made to the bank during her time with us, and wish her all the very best for the future on behalf of us all.”

It is not known if Ms Myers, who turns 50 in December, has another job lined up. She has young children and is married to a fireman.

In 2009, Ms Myers spoke about the importance of parents being around their children when they are growing up.

“You only get one chance,” she said. “You don’t want them to turn around and say ‘you were not there’.”

She was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Ms Myers follows directors Gary Lumby and Dean Cutbill and former chief executive Lynne Peacock out of the business.

The parent National Australia Bank is carrying out an overhaul of the Yorkshire and Clydesdale banks.

Last month NAB replaced four non-executives and appointed group chief executive Cameron Clyne as chairman of the loss-making UK lenders.

Jonathan Dawson, Roy Nicolson and Elizabeth Padmore left the banks on May 31.

Costain Group chairman David Allvey and former Man Group executive David Browne have been appointed in their place.

They are joined by Barbara Ridpath, who previously ran the European arm of ratings agency Standard & Poor’s and former PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Alex Shapland.

The revamp will see 1,400 job cuts and the closure of 29 business banking centres in the South as the banks retrench to their heartlands.

David Thorburn, chief executive, has said that simplifying the business model and focusing on strengths in Scotland and the North of England are key to ensuring that the banks deliver improved returns.