FORMER derivatives boss Clara Furse has been appointed chief executive of the London Stock Exchange.

The appointment of Mrs Furse will mean the LSE will have its first woman chief executive in its 200-year-old history.

She will be filling a seat which has been vacant since September when former chief Gavin Casey resigned following shareholder anger at the group's annual meeting.

Mrs Furse will be appointed to the board with immediate effect and will start her role as chief executive on February 5.

Until recently, the 43-year-old was group chief executive of derivatives trading firm Credit Lyonnais Rouse.

Mrs Furse, who is Dutch, has also been a deputy chairman of derivatives exchange Liffe, and was also managing director of UBS bank where she worked for 15 years.

She has worked in the City for 21 years, studied at the London School of Economics and lives in London with her husband and three children.

LSE chairman Don Cruickshank said: "I am delighted that Clara Furse is joining the Exchange as its chief executive.

"She brings to the appointment considerable character, business experience and IT expertise.

"In particular, her knowledge of European and global operations will be of immense value to the Exchange as we widen and strengthen the scope of our European business and meet the demands of market users in an increasingly competitive and globalised business environment."

Mrs Furse said: "I am very pleased to be taking up this appointment as chief executive of the London Stock Exchange.

"Despite the challenges of the last year, the Exchange achieved record levels of business in all its markets and it is clear that this is a strong business with great opportunities for further development.

"I look forward very much to working with our member shareholders, the board and the management team to develop the business and to ensure that London strengthens still further its position as one of the world's leading stock exchanges."