Michael Wegier says it is “a privilege and honour” to have been appointed chief executive of the Board of Deputies, having served in an interim capacity since April. He succeeds Gillian Merron, following her elevation to the House of Lords.

Mr Wegier said that as interim CEO, he had developed a close working relationship with the Board’s officers, professional team and deputies. He now relished “the challenge of navigating the next phase of our community’s development”.

Board president Marie van der Zyl said that Mr Wegier had “demonstrated his expertise and vast experience. He is a great asset to our organisation.”

He has worked as a Jewish educator, strategic planner and chief executive for communal organisations in the UK, Israel and America. He served as chief executive of the Melitz Educational Centres in Israel and had two terms at UJIA, firstly as director of programmes and then as chief executive, a position he held until 2019.