Cygnet Health Care has appointed Julie Kerry as director of nursing and patient experience.

The role is intended to provide board level leadership to Cygnet’s nursing staff and allied health professionals.

Kerry joins the mental health provider from NHS England where she is currently assistant director of nursing, patient experience and south of England mental health homicide lead.

David Cole, chief executive of Cygnet, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Julie – she is a nurse leader with a wide range of operational and strategic experience who will bring significant additional bandwidth to our team.  She has a comprehensive system-wide understanding of mental health services having held senior posts in NHS trusts, the third sector and commissioning.  With a track record of delivering system improvements in quality, safety and outcomes for patients and their families, we look forward to Julie joining our team.”