Chris Fincham has been appointed director of finance and information for Eastbourne and County Healthcare trust.He was formerly director of finance for East Sussex, Brighton and Hove health authority.

Jackie Holt has been appointed director of nursing and hospital services at the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery trust, replacing Elaine Inglesby.She was formerly deputy director of nursing and midwifery at the Countess of Chester Hospital trust.

Lynne Berry, currently chief executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission, will take up post as chief executive of the General Social Care Council in September.The council is due to commence work in October.

John Newton, formerly director of research and development at Southampton University Hospitals trust, has been appointed acting associate director of research at South East regional office on a six-month secondment.He talks over from Ron Stamp, who has moved to the Department of Health's central research and development team.Michael Carmel has been appointed head of knowledge services development at South East regional office on an 18-month secondment from his post as director of South Thames library.

Professor William Dunlop will take up post as president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in September.Professor Dunlop, head of the school of surgical and reproductive sciences at Newcastle University, replaces Professor Robert Shaw.

Kate Timms takes up post as policy director and second deputy director general at the Health and Safety Executive this month from her post as director general for agriculture and the food industry at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

She will be responsible for the health policy and safety policy directorates as well as nuclear safety and railways.