Investec Bank, the South African investment firm, has appointed Russell Chambers to head its UK investment banking division ahead of its planned London listing.

Investec has been keen to strengthen its European investment banking and broking capabilities as it awaits go-ahead from the South African government to list in London. Chambers brings with him more than 15 years experience advising on privatisations and IPOs. The former Merrill Lynch veteran was most recently head of UK investment banking at Wit Soundview, the technology focused investment bank.