Ian Sayers has been appointed director general (DG) of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) on a permanent basis, having worked as acting DG since July of last year.

Sayers had been working in the position on a temporary basis after the departure of Daniel Godfrey in the summer.

Ian Sayers joined the AIC in November 1998 as technical director and was promoted to deputy DG in 2005.  He was always keen to embrace the media spotlight, having been heavily involved in the public affairs and lobbying activities of the association.

He has also been a popular choice due to his extensive experience in providing technical advice to members on taxation, accounting, company law and regulation.

Carol Ferguson, chairman of the AIC said that Sayers’ intellectual rigour and specialist knowledge had already been of enormous value to the association.

She added, ‘He has been instrumental in many of the Association’s victories, particularly the VAT case win, which benefited the industry to the tune of £40 million a year.  The Board are confident that Ian will lead the AIC forward to future successes.’