The London Metal Exchange (LME) announces that John Williamson, currently LME Non-Executive Director, will become the LME’s Interim Chairman, effective 28 April 2023.

Mr Williamson John will replace Gay Huey Evans CBE, who steps down from the Board at the end of April and whose departure was announced earlier this year.

Commenting on his appointment, John Williamson said:

“I am delighted to be stepping-up to the role of Interim Chairman of the LME. Recent years have presented challenges for both the industry and the business but, I am certain of the LME’s continued role as a vital global marketplace for the pricing and trading of metals. I would like to personally thank Gay for her stewardship and I look forward to working with Matt, my fellow Board directors and the entire LME community as we work together for the advancement of the market as whole, championing transparency, choice and sustainability.”

The appointment of Mr Williamson has been through usual regulatory processes.

John Williamson is currently a non-executive director of the London Metal Exchange, Chairman of the UK Tote Group and a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Pacific Basin Shipping Limited. He is a Chartered Accountant, a Chartered Fellow of the Securities Institute, and a Senior Fellow of the Hong Kong Securities Institute.

He was formerly a Non-Executive Director on the Board of HKEX, LME’s parent company (2008-2021) so has extensive knowledge of LME’s business and markets; and has previously served on the Boards of the Hong Kong Securities Institute and several other private companies.

Mr Williamson has worked within the finance and securities industry for over 40 years and has deep expertise across commerce, investment banking, wealth management, IT, risk, governance and regulation in capital markets. He previously held senior executive roles with Search Investment Group, Morgan Stanley, NatWest Securities and Wood Mackenzie & Co.