Alison Carnwath, the head of Barclays remuneration committee, on Wednesday quit the bank's board with immediate effect for personal reasons, capping a tumultuous two years at the company.

Carnwath, who in recent months acted as a lightening rod for shareholder anger over group's decision to pay out large bonuses to top executives, said in a statement that she is no longer "able to devote sufficient time" to her role as director because of other commitments. A spokeswoman for Barclays said the bank's board has started looking for a replacement for Carnwath.