The Association of Independent Financial Advisers (AIFA) has appointed a new policy director.

Chris Hannant will also be responsible for developing policy at the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) and the Association of Finance Brokers (AFB).

Hannant has more than 15 years’ experience on public policy and working with government on a range of business and financial services issues. He started his career working in the then Department for Trade and Industry and HM Treasury. In 2003, he joined the ABI working on regulation and distribution of general insurance and financial crime.

Most recently he has been policy director at the British Chambers of Commerce and head of representation at the EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation.

Stephen Gay, director general of AIFA, said: “Chris has extensive policy experience and knowledge of working both in and with the government and financial services regulators. This will be essential to help us represent the interests of our members and deliver a better business environment.