The London Metal Exchange (LME) has announced that John Williamson, currently LME Non-Executive Director, will become the LME’s Interim Chairman, effective when the current chairman steps down on 28 April 2023.
The appointment comes at a critical time for the LME as it struggles to retain the confidence of traders after the LME suspended trading in nickel in March 2022, for the first time since 1988, when prices surged 250%, to over US$100,000/tonne, within hours.
“This is a particularly important time for the LME as we look to the future and seek to support the market and our customers in a dynamic and evolving landscape. John’s deep knowledge of our business and his extensive international experience will be invaluable to us as we look to drive forward our two-year programme to strengthen and enhance our markets.”
— Matthew Chamberlain, LME Chief Executive
You can read our detailed analysis on whether the LME nickel contract can survive here: