The Investment Association has promoted one its senior regulatory specialists to head of European affairs as the body prepares to establish a new office in Brussels.
Johannes Woelfing has been a regulatory and legal specialist with the Investment Association for the past four years. In the newly created role, Woelfing will act the group’s main representative in Brussels working on policy with regards to the European Union.
He will also set up the office in Brussels, which will be established to ensure the trade association has an increased and permanent presence in the city and Continental Europe. The move reflects the Investment Association’s endeavour to continue its support for its European members following the UK’s departure from the EU.
“With more than £1.4 trillion of European assets managed in the UK, a figure that is growing every year, it is essential that the Investment Association has a more permanent voice in Brussels that can help represent our industry and the clients they serve at a European level,” said Chris Cummings, CEO of the Investment Association.
“Johannes’ industry, legal and policy experience within the European Parliament and the IA will be valuable to ensure the asset management industry’s voice is better understood by policy makers and regulators in Europe.”
Prior to joining the Investment Association in 2014, Woelfing spent more than four years as a political advisor for the European Parliament.
He has since led the trade body’s macro prudential regulation and financial stability, and is also a member of the European Fund and Asset Management Association’s financial stability and prudential requirements working group.