NatWest Group plc (NWG) today announced the appointment of Erminia (Ernie) Johannson as an independent non-executive director with effect from 1 July 2026.

Rick Haythornthwaite, Chair of NWG, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Ernie to the NWG Board. Ernie brings over three decades of experience in financial services across investment management and banking. Her deep strengths in banking including payments, digital and data analytics, together with her leadership experience in financial services will be a valuable asset to the Board.”

Ernie Johannson is a former member of the Executive Committee of the Bank of Montreal, where she most recently served as Group Head of North American Personal and Business Banking, serving approximately 10 million customers across Canada and the United States.

She joined BMO in 2012 and held a number of senior leadership roles, including Chief Risk Officer for Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking and North American Personal and Business Banking. Following the end of her executive tenure, Ernie briefly served BMO in an advisory capacity as Senior Advisor for the company’s North American Personal & Business Banking. Prior to BMO, she held senior roles at Fidelity Investments and CIBC.

She also previously served as Chair of the Canadian Bankers Association and held board positions with the U.S. Consumer Bankers Association, Payments Canada and Moneris Solutions Corporation.

She has received industry recognition including being named one of American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking for six consecutive years from 2019. She has also been recognized for her leadership in the financial services industry by Forbes and Women Inc.