Community healthcare provider Locala has appointed Karen Jackson as chief executive, after a six-month search.

Jackson was formerly interim chief executive of Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, and previously worked as improvement director and programme manager for the West Yorkshire Acceleration Zone at NHS Improvement.

Former chief executive of Locala Robert Flack resigned last September after a series of controversies, including scrapping a bonus scheme for nurses while awarding directors £66,000 in pay rises, the Examiner reported.

Locala runs community nursing in Kirklees, providing the majority of district nurses in the area.

Jackson commented: “I have had experience of managing community healthcare services in the past and firmly believe that the future of healthcare relies on the development and growth of community-based healthcare services.

“I am very much looking forward to building on all the great work done by Locala so far and driving the development of the highest quality community healthcare services in a social enterprise environment.”

Locala chairwoman Diane McKerracher said: “I am delighted to welcome Karen to the organisation. I am confident that she will provide excellent leadership to our board of directors, and Locala as a whole.”