LONDON, United Kingdom – Boris Johnson, the former London mayor and “Leave” campaign figurehead in Britain’s EU referendum, was appointed foreign secretary on Wednesday in Prime Minister Theresa May’s new government.

“The queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of Boris Johnson MP as Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs,” Downing Street said in a statement.

Johnson was one of the leaders of the campaign to leave the European Union. He has been given the job by new Prime Minister Theresa May, who backed the losing “remain” side ahead of the referendum.

Johnson had hoped to become British prime minister but saw his dream fade amid Conservative Party plotting after last month’s vote.

He will not be responsible for leading Britain’s EU exit talks. That will go to a dedicated “minister for Brexit.”

Philip Hammond was named Wednesday as Britain’s new finance minister, bringing a steady hand to guide the economy through an uncertain post-Brexit future.

The former foreign minister is an un-showy performer dubbed the “grey man” by some, but his work ethic and attention to detail have much in common with those of new Prime Minister Theresa May.

His understated style is likely to reassure investors given the volatility of the markets and fears of a recession sparked by Britain’s seismic vote to leave the EU.

Hammond was an enthusiastic supporter of May’s bid to succeed David Cameron and has now been rewarded with the most senior job in government, after her own.

“The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of Philip Hammond MP as Chancellor of the Exchequer,” a statement from Downing Street said.

His predecessor George Osborne, the architect of the past six years of austerity and a close friend of Cameron, has resigned from government.

Like May, Hammond had backed staying in the EU but has long been a critic of the bloc, previously saying he was open to the prospect of Britain cutting loose from the union.

His new job puts him in the firing line as Britain tries to carve out a new future and, crucially, new trade deals outside the EU.

In a newspaper article earlier this month, Hammond said negotiations on leaving the EU would inevitably involve a trade-off between access to the single market and ending free movement of people to Britain.

Our economy now faces another period of change and challenge”, he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

“Businesses, consumers, markets confront a new set of uncertainties and will continue to do so until the shape of our deal with the EU becomes clear. That means time is of essence,” he wrote.

Hammond is on the centre-right of the Conservative party, and was outspoken in his opposition to gay marriage and support for cutting welfare.

As foreign minister, he played a key role in the talks with Iran over its disputed nuclear programme.

As defence minister before that, he steered Britain through deep military cuts and a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan with typically minimal drama.

Reportedly nicknamed “Big Phil” at Conservative headquarters, Hammond grew up in Essex, east of London, and won a scholarship to Oxford University, where he studied politics, philosophy and economics.

He worked in the property, construction and energy sectors before being elected to parliament in 1997, the year Labour swept to power, consigning the Tories to 13 years in opposition.

Married with three children, he represents Runnymede and Weybridge, an affluent commuter belt constituency on the outskirts of London.