Citizens Financial Group announced the appointment of Mary Ellen Baker as Head of Business Services effective August 8, 2016. Baker will report to Chairman and CEO Bruce Van Saun and serve on Citizens’ Executive Committee. Baker succeeds David Bowerman, who is returning to the United Kingdom after serving 34 years with The Royal Bank of Scotland, plc (RBS) and Citizens.

Baker, a banking veteran with more than three decades of experience, joins Citizens from PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. where she most recently held the title of Executive Vice President of Enterprise Services. She previously worked for Bank of America Corporation as Head of Enterprise Resiliency and Corporate Services and Head of Technology and Operations for the Consumer and Small Business Bank. During her career, Baker has led numerous strategic projects in the areas of technology and operations, including company-wide planning, new technology implementation, and crisis response initiatives.

“Mary Ellen is exceptionally qualified to lead our Technology, Operations and Corporate Services areas as we work towards our goal of making Citizens a top-performing regional bank,” said Van Saun. “With more than 30 years of banking experience, she has an impressive background in leading technology and operations teams and managing major organizational change programs.”

In announcing Baker’s appointment, Van Saun thanked Bowerman for his leadership and service to the company.

“I’d like to thank David for the key role he played in our separation from RBS and our IPO,” said Van Saun. “Under his leadership, we have made a wide range of strategic investments in technology. His efforts have helped us run the bank better, improve the customer experience and collaborate more effectively across the organization.”

As Head of Business Services, Baker will oversee the Technology, Operations, Information and Corporate Security, Property Services, Vendor Management and Change Management functions.

Active in a number of community and professional organizations, Baker earned her undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University.