BOE director could chair Visma if it opts for London listing

Visma, one of Europe's biggest software companies, has approached a leading City grandee to become chair if it goes ahead with a blockbuster €20bn (£17.6bn) listing in London next spring.

- Nils Pratley

Sir Ron Kalifa, former boss of the payments group Worldpay and a director of the Bank of England, is considered the leading candidate for the role after a round of interviews, the Guardian understands. However, sources close to the process warned that London is not yet certain to land the sought-after listing of the Norwegian company.

Stockholm has emerged as a rival because Visma is better known in Scandinavian markets and because the Swedish bourse last month hosted the successful €13.7bn flotation of Verisure. Shares in the security services group rose 25% on debut.

The absence of similar-sized IPOs in recent years is seen as one risk to listing in London. An offer to Kalifa to join Visma's board may depend on London being chosen. Øystein Moan, who was Visma's chief executive from 1997 to 2020, could yet stay on as executive chair.