The CFA Institute has appointed Charles Cronin as head of the CFA Institute Centre for Financial Market Integrity (CFA Institute Centre), Europe Middle East and Africa region (EMEA).

CFA Institute Centre is the research and policy arm of the CFA Institute. The institute said that Cronin’s appointment "demonstrates the growing importance and development of CFA Institute Centre in the region".

As head of the CFA Institute Centre for the EMEA region, he will champion the work of the CFA Institute Centre for Europe, Middle East and Africa and its mission to advocate for efficient capital markets, investor protection, and raising professional standards.

Over the coming months his work will look at issues such as MiFID, hedge fund regulation and regulatory convergence.

Nitin Mehta, managing director of the CFA Institute (EMEA) said: "Charles will work with opinion formers, influencers, regulators, members and the industry in driving forward our mission in centres of influence such as London, Brussels, Switzerland, Germany, South Africa and the Gulf States. He will also provide support to emerging capital markets such as Russia, Eastern Europe and Africa, promoting the highest standards of ethics and professionalism within the investment community. His appointment is a timely addition to the CFA Institute EMEA team as capital markets continue to grow at pace in the region."

Cronin is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with a background of over 20 years of financial services industry and consultancy experience.

Most recently he held the role of senior analyst at independent equity research firm Edison Investment Research and was also a consultant to Richard Davies Investor Relations.

He has also held a variety of roles at several leading firms including Prudential – Bache Securities (UK) Inc, Nomura International plc, L.F. Rothschild & Co International Ltd and Hill Samuel Asset Management International.

Cronin also served as a Westminster City councillor, where his last appointment was as cabinet member for Transport & Infrastructure.

He will be based London.