Healthcare staffing specialist Healthcare Locums has appointed Peter Sullivan and David Henderson as senior independent non-executive directors with immediate effect.

Sullivan has been appointed non-executive chairman following the resignation of Alan Walker who has resigned his post. He was previously the chief executive officer of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) responsible for the bank’s daily business and operations.

Henderson has been appointed senior non-executive director. Henderson joined the board of Kleinwort Benson Group as personnel director in 1995 and was appointed CEO of its private banking business in 1997, a position he held until he became Chairman in 2004.  

Following the sale of Kleinwort Benson Private Bank in 2009, Henderson became a special adviser to the bank where he continues to support a number of senior client relationships. He also holds a number of directorships of public companies.

The board says it is making these changes to secure independent leadership of the company.

Alasdair Liddell has expressed an intention to resign from the board as non-executive director and will stand down after a suitable transitional period. Mo Dedat remains as executive director and chief operating officer. David Moffatt, a chartered accountant who joined the company in December, will continue as interim chief financial officer.

The firm adds the internal investigation into accounting irregularities at the firm is nearing completion, while the findings of a separate investigation into the same issues, conducted by external independent reporting accountants, will be delivered in the coming weeks.

Sullivan says: “I would like to thank Alan Walker for all of his hard work over the last five years and particularly in recent weeks. Alan has guided the company through the recent difficult period with great professionalism and now that the internal investigation into accounting irregularities is close to completion, it is fair and right that he steps aside to allow fresh independent non-executive leadership to take the company forward.

“I would also like to pay tribute to Alasdair Liddell who continues to play a very key role in guiding the company through its recent challenging times. HCL is an extraordinarily powerful company, and is strongly enhanced by its recent Australian acquisition. It has a great contribution to make in healthcare provision across the globe and I look forward to playing a significant role in its future development.”

Walker says: “The period since the announcement of the suspension of the company’s shares has been challenging and difficult for all those associated with the HCL Group. The internal investigations surrounding the accounting irregularities are now close to completion and the investigation by independent reporting accountants is progressing. 

“As a result of progress in these related matters this is the appropriate time to transfer the chairmanship of the group into the hands of Peter Sullivan, a highly respected business figure with a distinguished track record. I have enjoyed playing a pivotal role in developing the HCL Group in market-leading positions around the world.

“HCL is a dynamic group with an exciting future and I am particularly pleased that the new independent directors will place the HCL Group on a secure footing going forward. I wish the company and its committed staff every success in the future.”