Santander UK has appointed Martin Bischoff to the newly created position of director of retail optimization and integration.

He will be instrumental in Santander to achieve two of its primary goals over the coming years firstly putting the customer at the heart of its operations and secondly, successfully integrating the branches Santander is acquiring from Royal Bank of Scotland.

He joins Santander UK from RBS where he was vice chairman, consumer and business banking at Citizens Financial Group. He was previously managing director of NatWest Retail Banking. He joined RBS in 1985.

Bishoff will report to Charlotte Hogg, head of retail distribution and intermediaries at Santander UK. She said: “Martin brings tremendous experience and knowledge to Santander UK