THE Federation of Small Businesses has added its voice to calls for Lloyds Banking Group to appoint another Scottish representative to its board when Lord Sandy Leitch retires at the end of the year.

Lloyds tasked a board member with being a voice for its businesses north of the Border after its rescue takeover of Edinburgh-based Halifax Bank of Scotland three years ago.

While it has replaced Lord Leitch as group deputy chairman and is seeking someone to take his position as chairman of Scottish Widows, it has not committed to appointing another director with responsibility for Scotland.

Colin Borland, head of external affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland, said: “Scotland has some distinct features which make it different from the market south of the Border.

“It is important we have someone who is giving that Scottish representation, especially given how significant Lloyds Banking Group is to Scottish smaller businesses. It would certainly be reassuring to see somebody who has first-hand experience of the market fighting our corner.”

Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland account for 75% of small business lending in Scotland.

Mr Borland said until reform to open up the Scottish banking market “it is a good start” to have someone with a Scottish background on Lloyds’ board.

Earlier this month, the Independent Commission on Banking identified competition in the Scottish small business banking market as an area of concern.