The Royal Mint have appointed Anne Jessopp as its new chief executive and Deputy Master of the Mint.

She will lead work to provide Britain with its cutting-edge secure currency and will also develop the commemorative coin and bullion arm of the business.

On a visit to the Royal Mint, the Exchequer Secretary officially confirmed Anne Jessopp's appointment - the first female to take up the role in the Royal Mint's 1,100 year history.

As chief executive of the Royal Mint, Ms Jessopp will be tasked with running the Great British institution which produces up to 90 million coins every week.

Speaking of her new appointment Ms Jessopp said: "I am delighted to be appointed to lead this unique and important British organisation.

"The Royal Mint has an impressive history of over 1,100 years and its longevity is due to its ability to adapt as society changes.

"This was never truer than today, as we reinterpret The Royal Mint for the 21st century, building on the values that have been at the heart of the organisation throughout our history -authenticity, security, precious metals, craftsmanship and design.

"I have had the privilege to work for The Royal Mint for almost 10 years and it is testament to the great colleagues and opportunities I have had, that I have been able to develop the skillsthat enable me to take on this role."

One of Jessopp's first tasks will be overseeing the introduction of the new 50 pence coin, a special design that commemorates the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote inBritain.

Jessopp, who previously worked for Procter &Gamble (PG), will also lead the annual Trial of the Pyx, a historical ceremony that tests the integrity of the country's coins.

Tradition dictates that if the coins are found to be faulty, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (finance minister), who is the ceremonial Master of the Mint, will lose a hand as punishment.

"It should be made clear that in the trial's long history, 94 Minters have had their right hands cut off by order of the King. However, this has not happened for hundreds of years,"the Mint said in its statement.

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Royal Mint gets first woman boss in 1,100 years(http://money.cnn.com/2018/02/16/news/royal-mint-female-boss/index.html)