As part of their close partnership working, Herefordshire Council and Herefordshire Primary Care Trust have appointed a new assistant chief executive.
Anne Coutts, 52, from Somerset, who has 30 years experience in senior HR roles, will have special responsibility for Human Resources and Organisational Development for both the council and PCT.
Previously the Director of Workforce and Organisational Development at the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Anne has mainly worked in the NHS but also in education, the private sector and consultancy.
As part of her role at Bristol, Anne helped the Trust achieve Foundation Trust status in May, 2008.
Anne Coutts said: "I am really looking forward to the challenge of this new role where I will be working for both the council and Primary Care Trust.
"I will be ensuring both the council and PCT continue to recruit quality members of staff and maintain excellent relations with the existing workforce," she added.
Anne, who has three teenage children, enjoys walking and is looking forward to exploring the county's acclaimed countryside.