The former chief executive of CLS Bank, the world’s largest provider of foreign exchange settlement services, has joined the board of Ice Clear Europe, as the clearinghouse gears up to roll out its new currency clearing service in the New Year.

Rob Close, who retired as president and chief executive of CLS at the end of 2010, joined Ice Clear Europe's board last week, according to documents filed with Companies House. A spokeswoman for Ice in London confirmed Close had been named to the board as an independent non-executive director. Close could not be reached for comment.