HKEX Announces Its Management Moves, LME Clear CEO Adrian Farnham to Leave

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) announces today that Matthew Chamberlain, CEO of the London Metal Exchange (LME) and Group Head of Commodities, is to remain in his post.

Mr Chamberlain, who announced his departure earlier this year, will now remain with the Group. His decision allows him to drive forward the LME's long-term development as the world's leading trading, hedging and pricing centre for industrial metals.

It also allows Adrian Farnham, who deferred retirement to act as interim CEO while Mr Chamberlain's successor was identified, to return to his original plan. He will step down as CEO of LME Clear in July.

Adrian Farnham, CEO of LME Clear, retires after a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years in financial markets and market infrastructure and nine years with the LME. Mr Farnham joined LME Clear in 2013 as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the building and eventually the day-to-day running of LME Clear. In January 2016, he was appointed LME Clear CEO and has since driven both the strategic development of the clearing house, while also leading the major technology refresh programme currently underway at the LME Group level.

The LME announced in January 2022 a process to find the right person to succeed Mr Farnham.

Finally, after more than eight years as LME Group CFO, Catherine Lester has decided to leave the LME to pursue interests outside the group. 

Tabitha Silverwood, the LME's current Acting CFO, will succeed Ms Lester, effective 1 May 2022. Ms Silverwood has been at the LME since 2014, first as Head of External Reporting and then as Head of Finance from January 2019. Prior to joining the LME, Ms Silverwood worked as a senior manager in the PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Audit & Assurance practice, focusing on the asset management sector. Ms Silverwood is a chartered accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.