In a statement on Tuesday, RSA said Paul Whittaker, currently chief executive of emerging markets, will become COO from May 1.

"This role reflects our new strategy and will provide essential co-ordination and focus for the successful delivery of the self-help measures underway to recapitalise the business," Group Chief Executive Stephen Hester said.

RSA is seeking to raise up to $2.7 billion (1.6 billion pounds) in capital, around half of which will come from disposals and money saved by scrapping its dividend with the rest put up by shareholders in a rights issue earlier in April.

(Reporting by Chris Vellacott. Editing by Matt Scuffham)