UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, has announced that Noel Harwerth will join its Board as Chair and Lawrence Weiss has also joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director.

Noel will, on 1 January 2017, succeed Guy Beringer QC CBE as Chair of the UKEF Board. As part of her role as UKEF Board Chair she will also be a Non-Executive member of the Department for International Trade Board.

Noel comes from a long career in the finance and mining sectors with significant experience in emerging markets. She is the outgoing Chairman of GE Capital Bank Europe, a role she has held since 2011, and a non-executive director at Standard Life plc, the London Metal Exchange, CHAPS Co and Sirius Minerals. Her executive career has included roles with Citigroup International as its Chief Operating Officer, Citicorp and Dun & Bradstreet.

Lawrence M. Weiss joined the UKEF Board as a non-executive director from 1 November 2016.  He will also be a member of UKEF’s Audit and Risk Committee.

Lawrence was the Chief Executive Officer of Bank Leumi (UK) plc from 2008 to 2014.  During that period he served as a member of the World Division Committee of the Association of Foreign Banks. From 1990-2008, Lawrence held a number of senior executive positions in the oil division of Glencore. At present, he is an Advisor to the Chairman and the Board of Arbuth not Banking Group Plc and a Brand Ambassador for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.

As members of UKEF’s Board, Noel and Lawrence will support the Chief Executive and Ministers in developing UKEF’s strategy and overseeing its operations by providing advice, challenge and assurance.

Noel Harwerth said:

“I am excited to be taking on the role of Chair of the UK Export Finance Board at a very important time for UK trade. UKEF is recognised as one of the world’s most innovative and flexible export credit agencies and I look forward to helping it realise its ambitious mission to ensure that no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance.”

Lawrence Weiss said:

“I am delighted to be joining the Board of UK Export Finance as a Non-Executive Director and to have the opportunity to contribute to realising the Government’s ambitious trade agenda. With UKEF’s competitive support, British companies are better placed than ever before to succeed in a global marketplace.”

Louis Taylor, CEO of UK Export Finance, welcomed them to the Department, saying:

“Noel Harwerth and Lawrence Weiss both bring a wealth of experience in industry, financial services and governance to UKEF’s Board. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Guy Beringer, our outgoing Chair, and am very much looking forward to working with Noel and Lawrence as we look to enhance and expand our support for exporters, helping to make even more exports happen.”

The Department for International Trade has also announced its new Non-Executive Board Members today.