Following news that NHS Improvement has appointed Prerana Issar as its new chief people officer, NHS Employers has commented on how much of an “important appointment” it is.

Prerana Issar comes from the director of public-private partnerships role at the United Nations World Food Programme, and also previously worked as the humanitarian organisation’s chief HR officer for four years.

She will start her NHS role at the beginning of April and will initially be commuting from Rome.

Before joining the United Nations, Ms Issar worked for Unilever in its London office for seven years in various senior roles, including heading up HR for its food division and as leadership and talent director for global functions and food solutions.

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, commented on the appointment: “This is an important appointment for NHS Improvement and NHS England.

“It provides much-needed leadership for the national workforce agenda and NHS Employers looks forward to working with Ms Issar when she takes up her post.

“The membership of the HR community in the NHS brings a wealth of experience from many different sectors, and Ms Issar’s extensive international experience will only strengthen this.”