Healthcare Locums has announced a number of changes to its board. Kate Bleasdale, founder and chief executive, has been promoted to the newly-created executive management post of executive vice chairman and will continue to lead the business as the senior executive board director.

Diane Jarvis, executive finance director, is promoted to the role of group managing director. Mo Dedat is promoted to executive finance director.

Andy McRae is appointed to the board as executive chief operating officer.  McRae, is a former managing director of international operations at Hays.

Carole Hepburn, executive director of operations, has resigned from the board with immediate effect in order to pursue other business interests.

Alan Walker, non-executive chairman of Healthcare Locums, says: “These appointments represent an important development for the company and significantly strengthen the executive capabilities of the board.  While Kate and Diane will continue to play key roles in the day-to-day running of the company the appointments of Mo and Andy bring significant additional experience and operational capability to the board.  This can only help the company prosper further. We are sorry to see Carole leave and would like to thank her for her commitment to the company. We wish her well for the future.”

Elsewhere, in its pre-close trading update, Healthcare Locums reports that trading in December and January “has been robust”, and confirms that its performance continues to be in line with management’s and market expectations. The company says it “remains confident” of the continuing financial progress of the business.” The company will report its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2008 in the third week of March 2009.