Bennett appointed to permanent chief executive role at Monitor

Mr Bennett has been interim chief executive since March 2010 and chair since February 2011.

He will formally take on the permanent job on Thursday (1 November).

In a statement Monitor said Mr Bennett will continue in the chair’s role until a new appointment is made by the health secretary.

Deputy chair of Monitor Stephen Thornton said: “David Bennett has done an excellent job in leading Monitor over the last two and a half years. During that time he has overseen Monitor’s transition, preparing to take on new roles and responsibilities, while also maintaining Monitor’s reputation for competent delivery.

“The non-executive directors of Monitor are delighted that David will take this role on a permanent basis. This means the organisation will continue to have the top quality leadership that is vital during a time of significant change, and can implement its new regulatory regime in a timely and efficient manner.”

The regulator said a commencement order “had been made bringing into effect parts of the legislation that gives Monitor the powers it needs to prepare for its new role from 1 November”, adding that the rest of its formal powers set out in the Health Act 2012 would come into operation in April 2013.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “With his experience leading Monitor over the past two and a half years, [Mr Bennett] is the right person to take the organisation forward into its new role as sector regulator.”