The Whittington Hospital has announced the appointment of a new non-executive director to its board, following a string of departures in recent months.

Anu Singh, who is head of business improvement for Staffordshire County Council, will join the Highgate hospital on a two-year contract.

The appointment was announced today and confirmed by the NHS Trust Development Authority, which is responsible for the recruitment of all chairs and non-executive directors to NHS trusts in England.

In her current role, Ms Singh is responsible for the commissioning of mental health, social care, community safety and education.

She has also held other senior posts at Birmingham City Council where she was head of development and programmes, learning and culture and was previously head of development and improvement at Harrow Council.

Trust chair Steve Hitchins said: “I am delighted that Anu will be joining the board of Whittington Health. Anu will broaden the board, bringing considerable knowledge and experience of the public sector. She has been responsible for the leadership of the adult health and wellbeing strategy which will be invaluable as we continue to strive to provide the highest quality care for our patients.”

Ms Singh will replace Sue Rubenstein, who stepped-down last month because of “increasing work commitments and the challenges of balancing the demands of my role at Whittington Health with those of my business”.

Little over a week before, former chief executive of the hospital, Dr Yi Mien Koh, announced her surprise resignation and most recently, the hospital’s executive medical director, Dr Martin Kuper, said he was leaving to take up a role at another hospital.

Commenting on her new role, Ms Singh said: “I am thrilled and honoured to have been given this opportunity to serve my local community. Whittington Health is on an exciting journey, and I’m so looking forward to working closely with our staff and with our users to shape, lead and support these essential services”.

As a non-executive director, Ms she will be entitled to a remuneration of £6,157 a year.