Angela Knight will move up to the role of chief executive as of 1st April 2007.

Angela Knight said today: "I am delighted to have been offered this opportunity. My eight years at APCIMS have been very fulfilling and I believe that with the excellent support of all my colleagues, I have achieved a lot in my time as CEO and will be leaving the organisation in a strong position. I am ready for a new challenge and representing the banking industry in the UK – a sector that is immensely competitive and hugely successful, serving customers, business, industry and governments world-wide - certainly meets that requirement. I look forward to joining the BBA later this year."

Ian Mullen said: "We are extremely pleased to have secured the services of Angela Knight. I believe Angela will be exactly the right person to represent both the BBA as well as the industry, as vast, complex and important to the UK as it is. There are many challenges ahead for the industry across domestic, European and international public policy issues and I am very confident that Angela is the person to lead the BBA into this next phase."

Sir Peter Midddleton, President of the BBA, said: "I am very happy to see a smooth succession being put in place as we lead up to Ian's retirement in 2007. Ian has been tireless in working on behalf of our members over the last five years, has provided strong leadership, and has successfully led the industry in dealing with the deluge of regulation emanating from Brussels. I am very pleased that Angela Knight will be joining us. She is excellently qualified to take over from Ian when he retires, and we all look forward to her arrival."