BoI's Boucher to take time off in August to treat polyp

Staff at the bank were told of the planned procedure in an internal memo yesterday.

Mr Boucher, pictured above, will work through July, before undergoing what he described as "a standard medical procedure" during the first week in August. After what is expected to be a short recuperation he will return to work in September.

"As chief executive it has always been important to me that you hear transparently from me in relation to news that may be relevant to our group," he said in the memo.

"I recently underwent my annual routine medical check-up and during the course of this an early stage 1 cancerous polyp was identified in my colon. My doctor has advised me that this can be successfully removed through a standard medical procedure. As a consequence, I wanted to let you know that whilst I will be working normally for July I will be having a scheduled medical procedure during the first week in August, and following a period of recuperation I expect to be back to work in September," he wrote to staff at the bank.

"It is very gratifying to me that I have highly committed and very capable colleagues throughout our group and on our board. Therefore my short absence will not adversely impact on the strong progress we are making against our shared objectives for the Group. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued hard work, dedication and professionalism in driving forward the progress we have made, and will continue to make in the period ahead."