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London Stock Exchange's Warren plays down likelihood of becoming permanent CEO

David Warren, the London Stock Exchange Group Plc CFO who is serving as interim CEO, on March 2 confirmed his commitment to the CFO role in the future while offering little comment on the ongoing search for a permanent CEO.

"I have very strong ambitions to stay put as CFO," Warren said at a press conference on LSE's 2017 earnings. "I was asked to be the interim CEO but I'm still the CFO and ... I remain firmly committed to remain the CFO."

Despite its strong performance, LSE is facing increasing pressure to reveal more details about the group leadership after former CEO Xavier Rolet left prematurely in November 2017. The announcement that Rolet would be leaving sparked a conflict with activist shareholder The Children's Investment Master Fund, which demanded the ousting of Chairman Donald Brydon because the fund said he had pressured Rolet into stepping down before the agreed date at the end of 2018.

Brydon, who himself is due to leave at the end of 2019, won a vote of confidence requested by TCI with a nearly 80% majority at an extraordinary shareholders meeting Dec. 19.

Warren said the group will continue pursuing its strategic goals despite the ongoing search for a new CEO and expressed confidence that LSE is well-positioned in terms of strategy, operations and financial performance to "capitalize on a range of opportunities ahead and to enhance shareholder returns."

LSE reported full-year 2017 consolidated profit attributable to equity holders of £505 million, up from a restated £152 million in 2016. The group's board will propose a total dividend of 51.6 pence per share for 2017, up from 43.2 pence per share for the previous year, to the annual general meeting May 4.

Despite the increased dividend, LSE shares fell in morning trading, and were down 1.65% as of just before 12:30 p.m. The benchmark FTSE 100 was off 1% at the same time.

Although Warren said there is progress in the succession process and the board is looking at "quality candidates" for the CEO position, he declined to comment on the timing of the new chief's appointment.

In the meantime, "there is a very good, strong, very capable management here that is focused on delivering and executing on our strategy and I think the results today speak for themselves," he added.