A senior director at financial services firm Wesleyan has been appointed the new chair of Business Professional Services (BPS) Birmingham.

Ahmed Farooq has taken on the role at BPS, which represents the professional and financial services sector in Greater Birmingham.

Mr Farooq, managing director of general insurance at Wesleyan, will formally take over from current chair Alex Bishop on June 1.

He joins the board of BPS alongside Ian Barnes, head of business tax at Deloitte’s Birmingham office, who will lead on finance for the membership organisation.

Ms Bishop said: “In Ahmed, we believe we have found someone who is going to make a big impression representing our fast growing sector. I am especially pleased that in both Ahmed and Ian, we have recruited leading professionals from some of our biggest players, Wesleyan and Deloitte.”

Mr Farooq added: “I am honoured to be following in Alex’s footsteps. She has done an incredible job of leading the organisation through significant change, with BPS Birmingham on a solid financial footing and once again recognised by its members and the city at large as the voice of the sector. “

Mr Farooq will also take on the role of sector champion for the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.