Close Brothers has appointed Preben Prebensen as chief executive to take over from Colin Keogh, the current chief executive, who is stepping down after a six-year stint in the post.

Mr Prebensen takes up his job on 1 April and joins from Catlin Group, the specialist property and casualty insurance and reinsurance business. He has been at Catlin since the firm acquired Wellington Underwriting in 2006, where he held the CEO slot.

He has significant investment banking experience from over twenty years at JP Morgan which culminated in a number of senior management positions, including co-head of European investment banking and chairman of the London management committee. 

Close Brothers will be releasing its interim results for the six months ending 31 January 2009 on 10 March.