SCOTTISH fund management, life and pensions giant Standard Life has created a head of Brexit strategy role as part of its planning for the UK’s exit from the European Union.

The Edinburgh group, which has unveiled an £11bn merger with Aberdeen Asset Management, has hired Paul McGhee to fill the position.

It said Mr McGhee, formerly director of strategy at the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME), would be responsible for coordinating Standard Life’s preparations for Brexit.

Standard Life declared: “As you would expect, we are following Brexit developments closely, and remain focused on providing continuity of service to all of our clients and customers. Paul will have a significant role to play in helping us do this.”

The company noted Mr McGhee would report to Graeme McEwan, its chief communications officer.

Standard Life added: “The head of Brexit strategy role was created as part of our planning for exiting from the European Union. In this role, Paul will have senior project management responsibilities, engaging with stakeholders and taking responsibility for coordinating our company-wide preparations for Brexit.”

AFME, which describes itself as “the voice of Europe’s wholesale financial markets”, notes on its website that it represents “the leading global and European banks and other significant capital market players”.

Standard Life chairman Sir Gerry Grimstone told shareholders at the company’s annual meeting in Edinburgh last week that the financial giant would likely pick Dublin for its EU hub. Shareholders of Standard Life and Aberdeen will vote next month on the financial companies’ proposed merger.