FRED GOODWIN
Disgraced ex-RBS chief told to “shred” trees blocking the street outside his mansion
BY ALAN MCEWEN a.mcewen@dailyrecord.co.uk BANK bosses don’t usually need much encouragement when it comes to giving branches the chop. But disgraced ex-RBS chief executive Fred “the Shred” Goodwin has been served with an order to do just that. Edinburgh council have told the financial fatcat to prune foliage overhanging the street outside his mansion.
Inspectors said it was causing an “obstruction” for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers in the posh Grange area. A neighbour said: “The council came round and told a few people they’d have to cut back trees overhanging the road.
“I think Fred likes the trees to give him privacy. You never see him around much.”
Goodwin’s reign at RBS resulted in the cost-cutting that has led to hundreds of bank branches being closed.
RBS have been state-owned since they had to be bailed out during the global banking crisis of 2008. Goodwin, 60, quit just before the bank posted losses of £24.1billion and was stripped of his knighthood.
The council confirmed letters were issued to households in Goodwin’s street where foliage is overhanging the pavement.
If they fail to cut it back, council employees will carry out the work and bill the resident.
At his previous Edinburgh home, Goodwin was ordered by the council to trim a 20ft hedge.
Goodwin could not be reached for comment yesterday.