Social care provider membership organisation the Independent Care Group (ICG) has appointed Lisa Pickard  as chief executive, replacing Keren Wilson who has been chief executive since 2004.

Pickard (pictured) has been chief executive of Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association for the past six years. Prior to that she undertook a number of roles, mainly in the housing sector.

IGC also appointed Beverley Proctor as operations director on a two-year secondment from York NHS Trust. A registered nurse, Proctor has worked in the healthcare industry since 1993. Last year she was appointed as operational manager in the integrated discharge liaison team with the trust, and prior to that was community services manager/assistant director of nursing for Scarborough, Ryedale, York and Selby.

ICG chair Mike Padgham said: “Lisa joins us with an outstanding track record of achievement and I am sure she will prove to be a great asset to the Independent Care Group. Beverley has tremendous experience within the sector and again, will be a wonderful addition to the team. They take up their new posts at a challenging but exciting time for health and social care.

“The Independent Care Group has established itself as a strong voice for social care providers and for the social care sector. As we go forward we want to increase our profile and grow our membership. These new appointments will help us to achieve that aim.”