The NHS Confederation has appointed Sian Thomas as director of NHS Employers.

Former director of HR/Organisational Development in the NHS, Thomas worked as joint acting director with Alastair Henderson for the past year, under whose leadership the organisation has begun negotiations with the Department of Health to agree the content of its new contract from April 2010 and is developing new commercial products and services to benefit employers.

NHS Confederation chief executive, Steve Barnett, says: “I am delighted to have appointed Sian to the post of director of NHS Employers.  We had a strong shortlist but the panel were unanimous in believing that she demonstrated all the skills needed for this high profile and exciting role.“