The Treasury has appointed a Unilever veteran as its new chair of UK Government Investments, who will join the board in September.

Vindi Banga is set to join UK Government Investments (UKGI), an arm of the Treasury, alongside his current role of chair at charity Marie Curie.

The incoming chair is also a senior non-executive director at GlaxoSmithKline and the Economist Group.

With some 33 years’ experience at Unilever, across presidential roles in food, home and personal care, Banga brings a wealth of experience from the consumer goods giant to the UK’s investments branch.

Banga will take over the role from current chairman Robert Swannell, who joined the board in 2016.

“His extensive leadership experience will be a great asset for guiding the UKGI board in the coming years,” economic secretary to the Treasury, John Glen, said.

“UKGI provides invaluable advice and support to the government on corporate governance and corporate finance, and Vindi’s appointment will ensure this continues”.

The appointment will have been signed off by chancellor Rishi Sunak.