RBS chief executive Stephen Hester (second left) with (from left) Premier Alarms managing director Vincent Humphreys, Sarah Humphreys and MP Michael Fallon

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Royal Bank of Scotland chief Stephen Hester pledged to rebuild trust with business customers during a visit to Kent.

The man charged with turning around a bank that is 84% owned by the taxpayer spent a day in Sevenoaks hearing the views of business clients and staff.

The visit came at a time when banks are under pressure to step up lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

He teamed up with local MP and business minister Michael Fallon to visit guitar string manufacturer Rotosound, and Premier Alarms's reburbished premises on Chaucer Business Park.

Mr Hester also answered questions at a round table discussion with business owners, and spent time in the NatWest branch - part of the RBS Group - in Sevenoaks.

He said later: "I met with a number of our business customers who are playing a vital role in the economy here. It is encouraging for me to see that our relationship managers are really building the rapport with these customers that is crucial to knowing the needs of individual SMEs and rebuilding the trust between businesses and our bank."

He added: "I have made it clear that RBS must now ensure that our culture is always focussed on our customers and, on today’s evidence, we are well positioned to do that through the attitude and efforts of our frontline."

Vincent Humphreys, managing director of Premier Alarms, said the company had achieved a competitive edge through innovative investment and sheer hard work.

"As a company that has banked with NatWest since its inception over 25 years ago, we feel the visit reflects a positive move for the RBS group to understand SMEs in greater depth."