He will also be responsible for policy development at the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries and the Association of Finance Brokers.
Hannant has more than 15 years’ experience on public policy and working with the government on a range of business and financial services issuers.
He has worked for what was then known as the Department of Trade and Industry and for HM Treasury.
In 2003 he joined the ABI and worked on regulation and distribution of general insurance and most recently he has been a policy director at the British Chambers of Commerce.
Stephen Gay, director general of AIFA, said: "Chris has extensive policy experience and knowledge of working both in and with the government and financial services regulators.
"This year will continue to be dominated by major regulatory initiatives such as RDR and the Mortgage Market Review as well as wider regulatory architectural changes.
"There is still work to do in these areas in order to ensure we achieve the best outcome for members."
