Peter Coles , acting chief executive of Forest Healthcare trust, is to become chief executive of the new Whipps Cross Hospital trust when it is formed next April. The new trust will manage the general hospital services currently run by Forest Healthcare. Mr Coles was previously chief executive of the Homer ton Hospital.

Michael Haines will chair the new Whipps Cross Hospital trust. He was chair of Homerton Hospital trust from 1994 to 1998, and before that chair of the Royal London trust. Two nonexecutive directors have also been appointed: Ros Levenson, a trained social worker and visiting fellow at the King's Fund who is also a non-executive director of Forest Healthcare trust, and Serene Martin, a non-executive director of Redbridge Health Care trust.

Laura Morrison has been appointed director of finance and information for Dumfries and Galloway health board. She was formerly deputy director of finance and information for the board. Previously she worked for Highland health board.

Bradford South and West primary care trust has announced that Dr Barbara Hakin will be its first chief executive. Dr Hakin, a family doctor, was formerly chair and acting chief executive of the primary care group.

Vivien Aspey has been appointed chief executive of Blackburn With Darwen primary care trust.

She formerly worked for East Lancashire health authority. During her five years at the HA she was responsible for primary and community care, mental health services, organisational development and performance management.

John Ross is the new chair of Dumfries and Galloway primary care trust. He previously chaired the local health board.

Professor Norma Raynes has been appointed chair of the newly established Trafford South primary care trust. She holds the chair of social care at Salford University.

North East Ambulance Service trust has a new non-executive director - Jennifer Cameron, a former human resources director of the Prescription Pricing Authority and head of human resources at North Tees health authority.

Bradford Hospitals trust has two non-executive directors: Balbir Singh and Joan Lawrence, a member of the local health equality action team and a former economics lecturer respectively.

Professor Carol Seymour has become director for clinical advice for the Health Service Ombudsman. She took up her post from St George's Hospital Medical School, where she was subdean for admissions.

Keep us posted Please send details of senior appointments, indicating whether a photograph is available, to Lyn Whitfield at HSJ, Greater London House, Hampstead Road, London NW1 7EJ, or fax 020-7874 0254, or e-mail: lynw@healthcare.emap.co.uk Items are entered free but publication cannot be guaranteed.