In January this year Xavier Rolet was unemployed, speeding across the Argentinian pampas in a Toyota Land Cruiser as he and his co-driver competed in the famous Dakar Rally.

However, this week the 49-year old former Lehman Brothers banker could be found in the more refined surroundings of Plaisterer’s Hall in London, taking questions from shareholders of the London Stock Exchange in his new role as chief executive of the 208-year old bourse.