The London Stock Exchange has named Goldman Sachs partner David Schwimmer as its new chief executive, ending a near six-month search that was hindered by the continued presence of an activist investor and uncertainty over the company's future independence.

Schwimmer, 49, will become head of the iconic stock exchange on August 1, according to a statement on Friday. He will take over from David Warren, the LSE's chief financial officer who has served as interim CEO since the abrupt departure of Xavier Rolet in late 2017.