London Metal Exchange names John Williamson as interim chairman

London Metal Exchange names John Williamson as interim chairman

(IN BRIEF) John Williamson has been appointed as the interim chairman of the London Metal Exchange (LME), effective from April 28, 2023. Williamson will replace Gay Huey Evans, who will be stepping down at the end of April. Williamson is currently the LME’s non-executive director and will bring his extensive experience and understanding of the LME’s market, business, and industry to the role. The LME’s chief executive, Matthew Chamberlain, said that Williamson’s deep knowledge of the business and extensive international experience will be invaluable to drive forward the two-year program to strengthen and enhance the LME’s markets. The appointment has been through the usual regulatory processes.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 22-Apr-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The London Metal Exchange (LME) is pleased to announce that John Williamson, currently LME Non-Executive Director, will become the LME’s Interim Chairman, effective 28 April 2023. 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 the appointment, Laura M Cha, LME Non-Executive Director, Chair of the LME Search Committee and HKEX Group Chairman said, “John has an exceptionally relevant range of skills and experiences, that together with his in-depth understanding of the LME’s market, business and industry, will be instrumental in providing strong leadership to the LME as it executes on its strategy in the months ahead. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Gay for her leadership over the last three plus years and wish her the very best for the future.”

Commenting on his appointment, John 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.”

Gay commented, “It has been an honour to serve as the chair of the LME and I would like to thank the Board and management for their support. Working closely with John during my tenure, I believe that he is the most qualified and capable individual to lead the organisation at this critical juncture. I would like to wish him and the entire LME team all the best for the future.”

LME Chief Executive, Matthew Chamberlain said, “I am delighted that John will become the LME’s Interim Chairman. This is a particularly important time for the LME as we look to the future and seek to support the market and our customers in a dynamic and evolving landscape. John’s deep knowledge of our business and his extensive international experience will be invaluable to us as we look to drive forward our two-year programme to strengthen and enhance our markets.”

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

Notes to editors

• John Williamson biography

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.

John sits on the Board of a mental health charity and is a strong advocate of the diversity and inclusion agenda.

• In March 2023, the LME and LME Clear published a two-year action plan to enhance and strengthen their markets. Further information on the plan can be found here.

Media Contact:

Miriam Heywood
Tel: +44 (0)207 113 8538
miriam.heywood@lme.com

Bianca Blake
Tel: +44 (0)207 113 8534
bianca.blake@lme.com

SOURCE: London Metal Exchange