Rodopoulos has joined the company as an advisor on the Greek market some 18 months after retiring as head of Greek shipping at RBS.

In a WebTV interview Rodopoulos said: “I have a long background in commercial banking and this is an opportunity to change as the world is changing.

“I feel younger, actually, and I want to continue.”

Rodopoulos only offered limited details about exactly what his new role will involve, but he believes with bank financing still limited his countrymen will show increased interest in accessing public money.

“I