Adam & Company, the Scottish private bank, has appointed Andy Nicol, a rugby player turned private banker, to the newly-created position of head of business development.

Nicol will be tasked with developing networks across various sectors, such as intermediaries and professional advisors to bring on board new clients, the firm, which is part of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, said.

Nicol joined from RBS Private Banking, where he was first a business development manager before moving on to area manager of private clients in 2009.

"We have created this new role to assist Adam in its ambitious but achievable plans to grow the business, both by taking on new clients but also by providing more choice and services. This includes greater access to investments and financial planning advice, to philanthropy and family business consultancy,” said David Cathie, managing director of Adam & Company.

“Andy will be a great addition to our business. His experience in business development and networking within the private banking arena and beyond will be hugely valuable in our aspirations to take our business from strength to strength."

Prior to starting a career in private banking, Nicol was a rugby player who played for Scotland 23 times and was the country's captain on seven occasions. He is also a member of BBC's rugby coverage team.

Adam & Company has £1.5 billion ($2.2 billion) of private client funds under management.