Miller Fisher Group has officially announced the departure of business development chief executive Bev FitzGerald from the company.

The group's statement said FitzGerald left Miller Fisher "by mutual and amicable agreement" on 31 December.

It said he would "pursue other business opportunities" but warned that neither FitzGerald nor the group would comment further.

FitzGerald's future had been uncertain after Halifax Bank of Scotland became a major shareholder in Miller Fisher in early December.

Following the deal, Kevin Kenny stepped down as chief executive and both he and chairman Sir Timothy Kitson announced they planned to retire from the board of directors.

New chief executive Malcolm Hughes said at the time that no "immediate changes" would be made to management, but rumours immediately began to circulate that FitzGerald was to depart.