Former acting chief McKay opts for Leeds in 'logical move'

Neil McKay, former deputy chief executive and acting chief executive of the NHS, is leaving the Department of Health to run Leeds Teaching Hospitals trust.

Mr McKay was appointed deputy NHS chief executive in 1999, and was acting chief executive from July 2000, when Sir Alan Langlands stepped down, until Nigel Crisp's arrival in October 2000.Mr McKay then became chief operating officer, while NHS human resources director Hugh Taylor was recruited to a new post as director of external and corporate affairs, effectively becoming Mr Crisp's deputy.

Mr McKay will be running one of the UK's largest trusts, a role he inherits from David Johnson, who is to run North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire strategic health authority. Mr McKay said he had decided to take the post - one of the highest paid NHS chief executive jobs at about£140,000 - because it was an opportunity he could not miss.

He said: 'There are two reasons for wanting to take up this position. The first is the chance to be a chief executive again, and this is one of the largest trusts in the country. Secondly, it is in the north of England, so it suits me professionally and personally.'

Mr McKay denied that he had in any way been sidelined by changes at the DoH. He said: 'I think it is entirely reasonable to see movement between the department and the NHS. I see it as an entirely logical move to make.'

Mr Crisp said Mr McKay had made a huge contribution to the DoH, and Leeds 'needs top-class leadership, which I know Neil will provide'. Mr McKay is to start in April, once the SHA appointments have been confirmed.