Higher education specialist Barbara Stephens has been appointed chair of the board of the NHSU.

Ms Stephens has been interim chair since NHSU launched six months ago.

She currently works for ethical recruitment consultancy, KMC international, is a former Board member of the Higher Education Funding Council for England and Chief Executive for the Local Government Commission for England.

Ms Stephens said she was "delighted" with the appointment.

"Non-executive and executive members of the Board are totally committed to the work of NHSU in improving care and developing staff within the NHS; they are a stimulating and invigorating group to work with," she added.

The NHSU was set up as a special health authority last December with the aim of giving NHS staff the knowledge and skills they need to do their jobs effectively.

The appointment is for a year.