Top banker to speak at CBI summit

Stephen Hester, the chief executive of state-owned Royal Bank of Scotland, will deliver a speech at a CBI lunch at the Great Hall at Leeds University.

The event is being sponsored by HML, the financial outsourcing firm and subsidiary of the Skipton Building Society Group.

Neil Warman, chief commercial and finance officer, said: "To have the CEO of one of the world's leading financial services brands coming to Leeds to make this speech is indicative of the strength of the financial sector in Yorkshire.

"As a CBI member and a major player in financial outsourcing in Yorkshire and across the UK, we're delighted to be supporting this event.

"We hope to see many of the region's top executives in attendance for what should be a stimulating event offering excellent networking opportunities."

Mr Hester, 49, was educated at Easingwold Comprehensive in North Yorkshire and Oxford University. The former investment banker and CEO of British Land earns 1.2m a year in his current position.