A former synagogue chairman is to take over as the head of one of Britain’s biggest fund management businesses.

Mark Barnett will lead Invesco Perpetual’s UK Equities division. He joined the company in 1996 and specialises in equity income investments.

Now based in Henley-on-Thames, Mr Barnett is a former chairman of both Brondesbury Park Synagogue and the Saatchi Shul.

The move comes after Britain’s biggest fund manager, Neil Woodford, quit Invesco to establish his own business.

Invesco Perpetual chief executive Mark Armour said Mr Barnett was an “exceptional” manager with the same approach and focus as Mr Woodford.