Kerry Garrigan has been appointed director of human resources at Bermuda Hospitals Board.

The American will be responsible for staff recruitment, retention and development programmes, HR policies and labour relations, and will be expected to identify, mentor and train a Bermudian to eventually replace her.

She will report to deputy CEO Venetta Symonds throughout her three-year post.

Ms Garrigan has almost 20 years' experience in human resources and was most recently vice-president of HR at North Carolina Baptist Hospital.

Ms Symonds said: "I am very pleased to welcome Ms Garrigan to Bermuda Hospitals Board. The Director of Human Resources is a critical role for any organisation, but especially in a hospital where our ability to hire and retain both local and overseas professionals has a huge impact on our ability to care for the community."