Baft (the Bankers’ Association for Finance and Trade) has named Alexander Malaket as its head of trade following the retirement of Craig Weeks.

Malaket took on the role last month, the Washington-based transaction banking industry association said.

Throughout Malaket’s more than 35-year career in trade, he has worked in advisory and board roles with a range of organisations including banks, export credit agencies and multilateral institutions, Baft said.

In 2000, he founded Opus Advisory Services International, a training and services advisory firm for trade and trade finance. He has also had a senior role at the International Chamber of Commerce Banking Commission.

As head of trade at Baft, Malaket oversees the organisation’s trade-focused councils and committees, as well as heading up advocacy, policy and educational initiatives.

“Alexander is a great addition to Baft,” said Tod Burwell, the association’s president and chief executive.

“He has extensive policy engagement experience and has worked with organisations across the globe to build consensus-driven solutions to industry problems. We are going to miss Craig but are fortunate to now have another individual with strong knowledge of the major issues in trade to continue the industry work and advocacy.”

Former Baft trade head Weeks announced his retirement over the weekend after almost 20 years with the bankers’ association.

His 47-year career in trade – which he described on LinkedIn as “an amazing ride” – spanned roles at the Continental Grain Company lenders including Citi and JP Morgan, and the World Bank.

He also said he was writing a book on his experiences at work and school, noting: “If you are not in the book, it is because you did not say anything funny to me in 60 years… be better.”