NHS Employers deputy director Alastair Henderson has been appointed Academy of Medical Royal Colleges chief executive.

Mr Henderson, who joined NHS Employers in 1999 as policy manager, leaves to start his new role in January.

NHS Confederation chief executive Steve Barnett and NHS Employers director Sian Thomas said in a joint statement that Mr Henderson had a key role in establishing NHS Employers in 2004 and had “contributed greatly to its success”.