"John has extensive experience and knowledge from across a range of public and private organisations which make him the ideal candidate to establish this crucial new body"
Govett will take up the role in October 2018, when the body is first being established, for a four-and-a-half-year term.
He will work alongside former FSA chief executive Sir Hector Sants who was named chairman of the body earlier this year.
Govett is currently group chief executive at Ixion Holdings and has held previous roles as managing director of Surrey County Council and Shaw Trust Charity board executive.
Secretary of state for work and pensions, Esther McVey, commented: "I'm delighted to welcome John Govett as the first chief executive officer of the SFGB. John has extensive experience and knowledge from across a range of public and private organisations which make him the ideal candidate to establish this crucial new body, heralding a new era of excellence for financial guidance and debt advice in the UK."
Govett added: "The new organisation will become a leader in its field, where we will strive to equip those in need of help with the money and pensions guidance and debt advice that they need to engage confidently with financial services. The key for the SFGB will be to focus on those services our customers need, with a joined-up partnership approach with the wider industry."
