UK Trade & Investment has appointed Sue Langley, formerly an executive director of Lloyd's of London and Hiscox, as head of its newly created Financial Services Investment Organisation.

Langley began her career in financial services as a principal consultant at PwC. Her new role is to increase high value foreign direct investment to strengthen the UK's reputation as the world's leading financial centre.

The Financial Services Investment Organisation will take strategic direction from the Treasury-led Financial Services Trade and Investment Board and will work closely with industry bodies.

Langley said: 'The financial services sector has been my passion for many years; I understand the challenges of the task ahead and relish the opportunity to make a difference in such an important sector for the UK economy. I will be collaborating with industry bodies to promote why the UK continues to be the location of choice for the financial services sector.'