The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has appointed international affairs specialist Richard Burge as its new chief executive officer.

Richard joins LCCI from his most recent position as senior adviser on Diplomatic Engagement for the City of London Corporation. Previously Burge was chief executive of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council from 2017-2019. Before that, he spent eight years as chief executive of Wilton Park, a Foreign and Commonwealth Office agency for conciliation and dialogue on global issues.

During his career Richard has worked in over 60 countries, including serving for ten years with the British Council in Africa and the Middle East.

Domestically, his experience includes high profile roles as director general of the Zoological Society of London and chief executive of the Countryside Alliance.