Ian Johnson, the former CEO of Biotrace International Plc, has been appointed chairman of Finance Wales, the provider of commercial funding to SMEs in Wales.

Mr Johnson, who was appointed through an open selection process, is currently chairman and deputy chairman of AIM listed companies Evans Analytical Group and AOI Medical Inc respectively. He is a non-executive director of the Ruskinn Group and an advisor to Tate and Lyle Ventures.

He succeeds Brian Howes, who had been chairman since Finance Wales was established by the Welsh Assembly Government in 2001.