British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday named Indian-origin politician Rishi Sunak as his new finance minister, after Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid’s shock resignation following a post-Brexit Cabinet reshuffle.
Sunak, 39, has a business background and previously served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, effectively Sajid Javid's number two.
He arrived at the Treasury after his appointment on Thursday and told reporters that he is "delighted to be appointed".
"Lots to get on with," Sunak added, walking into the building.
Javid was due to present the Budget in just four weeks time but reportedly quit because PM Johnson demanded that he fire all five of his most senior aides.
The Budget is one of the main events in the calendar for the UK Treasury and even more crucial after Britain’s exit from the European Union, which means Sunak, the Conservative MP for Richmond in Yorkshire since 2015, will have to hit the ground running.
Sunak attended the prestigious Winchester College before going on to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University. He also has an MBA from Stanford University in the United States.
Sunak's wife is the daughter of Indian billionaire and co-founder of IT services company Infosys, Narayana Murthy.
His father was a doctor and his mother ran a chemist shop. Before entering politics he worked for investment bank Goldman Sachs and a hedge fund, then co-founded an investment firm.
Amongst other changes, Johnson has removed Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith, Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, Housing Minister Esther McVey, Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox.
Priti Patel remains Home Secretary, Dominic Raab remains Foreign Secretary and Michael Gove continues in his role as minister for the Cabinet Office.
International Development Secretary Alok Sharma has been appointed business secretary as well as minister for the climate conference COP26.
