Care home operator HC-One has appointed Dame Ruth Carnall as its new non-executive chair, effective 1 September.

Carnall has more than 40 years’ experience in healthcare at some of the highest levels of executive and strategic leadership, including seven years as chief executive of NHS London, where she oversaw a significant transformation programme.

She has also provided strategic advice to leaders in health and care at national, regional and local levels in the UK and overseas. She was as a non-executive director of the Cabinet Office Board and is currently vice-chair of healthcare think tank, The King’s Fund.

Carnall said: “It is an honour to have been appointed as chair and I look forward to joining the board in supporting HC-One to achieve its mission to deliver high-quality care to residents through kindness.”

James Tugendhat, chief executive at HC-One added: “On behalf of everyone at HC-One, I would like to welcome Dame Ruth to HC-One, her leadership and expertise will be invaluable in support of both our residents and colleagues. I am very much looking forward to working closely with Dame Ruth, and I have no doubt that she will be instrumental in helping us to build on HC-One’s performance as the kind care company.”

HC-One operates 329 care homes throughout the UK specialising in dementia, nursing, residential and specialist care for elderly people.