British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak named Laurie Magnus, chairman of Historic England, to the position of independent adviser on ministers’ interests, filling a vacancy created by the June departure of Boris Johnson’s ethical adviser.

Filling the position had been a priority, according to Sunak, who took office as prime minister in October with a promise to uphold “integrity, professionalism, and accountability at every level,” saying doing so would help to ensure standards were upheld and the public could have faith in the government.

Former Prime Minister Johnson’s ethics adviser Christopher Geidt resigned a month after he said Johnson must explain why he thought he had not broken the ministerial code after being fined over attending a party during the COVID-19 national lockdown.

Magnus has more than 40 years’ experience in the financial services industry, with expertise in the areas of audit, compliance and corporate governance. Since 2013, he has led Historic England, a public body that helps preserve places of historical interest.