Managing director of Abbey National's life division and chief executive of Scottish Mutual.

Why is he in the news?

Since the demutualisation of Scottish Provident and the transfer of business to Abbey National on August 1st, Mr Pottinger, as head of the life division, has an active role in Scottish Provident Ireland and its future plans.

Background:

Mr Pottinger became an accountant after completing a law degree in Glasgow University. He trained with Peat Marwick Mitchell in his native city and, after qualifying, decided to spend some time abroad.

He chose Nigeria and became manager of the Kano branch of Deloitte Haskins & Sells on a 15-month contract. He became partner in 1975 and ended up spending seven years in Nigeria.

From 1980 to 1992, he worked for Cargill Inc, the British subsidiary of the American Commodities multinational.

Mr Pottinger joined the Abbey National Group nine years ago, shortly after its acquisition of Scottish Mutual. Abbey National is the 15th-largest company in Britain by market capitalisation and the sixth-largest bank.

Marital status:

Married with two children.