Connolly previously led the high street bank’s retail banking offer, with responsibility for the delivery of current account, payment and savings propositions for 12 million customers across NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank.

The new managing director of home buying and ownership has worked for the lender for 21 years, during which time he has held leadership roles in human resources, branch banking, private banking and change management.

Brad Fordham, who held the role on an interim basis following the tenure of Miguel Sard, will continue to support NatWest’s mortgage distribution business for intermediary and organic channels.

Connolly says: “Mortgages are a vitally important area of focus for NatWest and I know there’s more we can do to support customers with one of the biggest purchase decisions that they’ll ever make.

“I’ll be working closely with my colleague Brad Fordham and the rest of my leadership team to refine our ambitious plans in the coming weeks and months.”

In July, NatWest agreed to buy a £2.5bn portfolio of prime UK residential mortgages from Metro Bank.

The deal, for up to £2.4bn in cash, will see around 10,000 customer accounts transfer to NatWest from Metro, although the accounts will continue to be serviced by the latter lender.