The Securities & Investment Institute (SII) is pleased to announce the appointment of John Nichols, former Ambassador to Switzerland, as Director of Global Business Development.
John, aged 57, has spent 30 years of his career in the Foreign Office, during which time he has held senior positions both in the UK and overseas in countries including Brazil and Bangladesh. He was HM Ambassador to Hungary and most recently HM Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. John has strong links with the financial sector having been on secondment as Deputy CEO of International Financial Services London (IFSL) 2000-2003.
Educated at the University of Surrey and a qualified solicitor, John is fluent in German, French and Hungarian. He is married with two children.
Simon Culhane, Chief Executive, SII said: “We are delighted to welcome John to SII. His extensive experience in the international arena will be invaluable as the Institute further develops its presence in overseas markets, focusing on those areas where local financial services industries are keen to draw on the Institute’s expertise in qualifications and professionalism to complement their own training and competence regimes.”
John Nichols said: “Confidence in the financial services industry has been badly affected by the financial crisis. The Securities & Investment Institute, as the leading professional body for the securities and investment industry in the UK, has a vital role to play in re-establishing the industry’s reputation through its extensive range of professional qualifications. SII also has a rapidly growing global reach through its network of international offices. I am looking forward to working in the Institute to help in its efforts in rebuilding public confidence and trust in the financial services sector.”
