Fred Goodwin 'leaves architects'

FORMER RBS chief executive Sir Fred Goodwin is said to have stepped down from his role at troubled architecture firm RMJM.

The 52-year-old was brought in as an adviser to the firm a year ago on a reported six-figure salary in a bid to tighten the purse strings at the company, which had been hit hard by the recession. He had also been asked to use his business contacts to open doors to potential projects across the globe.

But staff at RMJM's Edinburgh headquarters have described Sir Fred's desk as lying empty for "several weeks".

A spokesman said the company would continue to call on the banker's services "as required", but admitted that at present its needs were "less demanding".