Clara Furse is the Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and a veteran in the world of finance.

The 50-year-old investment banker started her career in the City of London almost two decades ago. She has spent most of that time working in the cutting edge world of financial derivatives, such as futures and options, and gaining a range of top jobs along the way.

Jobs included, Group Chief Executive of Credit Lyonnais Rouse from 1998 to 2000; Director of LIFFE from 1991 to 1999, and Deputy Chairman from 1997 to 1999.

She was at Phillips & Drew (now UBS) from 1983 to 1998 and became a Director in 1988, Executive Director in 1992, Managing Director in 1995, Global Head of Futures in 1996. She is a Non-Executive Director of Euroclear plc, LCH.Clearnet and RICS Foundation.

She was appointed Chief Executive of the LSE in January 2001.