Financial lobbying group TheCityUK appoints new CEO

Lobbying group TheCityUK has appointed Miles Celic as its new chief executive, succeeding Chris Cummings who will leave later this year.

The group said Miles, who is currently strategic communications director for the Prudential, is joining at “a critical juncture for the UK-based financial and related professional services industry as the UK seeks to retain its position as the pre-eminent international financial centre, particularly in the light of the recent EU referendum vote”.

He will be responsible for leading the business to advance the interests of the industry in the UK, across Europe and globally, working with TheCityUK board and its chairman, John McFarlane.

McFarlane said: “We have had great interest in this role from across the industry and beyond and I am confident that Miles is a great person to take the helm from Chris. He already has a good understanding of the organisation and has some great ideas about how to further its success.

“Our industry is increasingly global and competition from other markets is growing. There is much to be done to secure its future growth and I look forward to working with Miles to get that job done.”

The organisation, which had been in favour of the UK remaining in the European Union, held its first Brexit task force meeting last week.

It said in a press release at the time that ensuring a clear industry message is communicated to policymakers was critical in order to achieve an outcome that is in the best interests of the UK and safeguards economic prosperity.