Mark Moran has replaced Jason Lock as chief financial officer of Priory Group.

Lock stepped down from his post at the end of March after six years at the company.

Moran joined the mental health services provider at the start of the year and brings significant senior board level experience to the role. He was previously finance director at Premier Foods and group finance director of consumer healthcare firm SSL International.

Tom Riall, chief executive of Priory, said: “I’d like to thank Jason for his contribution as an outstanding CFO over the past six years. He leaves Priory having helped us to secure five straight quarters of year-on-year earnings growth and with record levels of group occupancy. I am, however, delighted that Mark Moran has agreed to join the business. He brings enormous experience and dedication and will be a huge asset to the Priory Group as we deliver on the exciting pipeline of opportunities that lie in front of us.”