Christopher Giancarlo, the high-ranking US financial regulator, has emerged as a surprise candidate for the top job at the Bank of the England, Financial News has learnt.

The chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has expressed interest in the job of governor at the UK central bank, according to a person with knowledge of the process. The news comes as the race to succeed Mark Carney has been thrown open by Theresa May’s resignation as prime minister.