A Bermudian has been appointed to a senior position for the Bermuda Hospital's Board at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Scott Pearman, who has work for the BHB for the last 14 years in various roles, will begin as the new Chief Business Development Officer on April 1.

He takes over from Russell Gardner who was placed in that position by Kurron Shares Inc, a consulting company which is contracted by the BHB to provide senior personnel.

Mr. Pearman, who is also the Chief Operating Officer for Inter Island Communications, the parent company of radio station Hott 107.5, said he was thrilled with the opportunity.

He said: "I'm looking forward to taking up my new position of Chief Business Development Officer. During my 14 years at BHB, I have received constant support in increasingly senior roles.

"My recent development has been through the BHB's new Succession Planning Programme, which included detailed, evidence-based assessments and a development plan aimed to support a transition to more senior leadership roles.

"As one of the founding principals and a major shareholder in Inter-Island Communications Ltd since its inception in 2002, my role will remain unchanged.

"Fortunately, we have a young team of Bermudians that manage the company on a day-to-day basis so there is no conflict with my BHB responsibilities."

His new position will report to the Chief Executive Officer and has the responsibility for strategic planning, business development and the Department of Decision Support.

Mr. Pearman joined the BHB in 1996 as an Employee Labour Relations Manager and became the Director of Human Resources in 2000 before becoming the Vice President of Physician Relations in December 2006.

Yesterday David Hill, CEO said he was pleased that BHB's succession planning had identified and developed a Bermudian to take a senior position.

He said: "I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Pearman to the position of Chief Business Development Officer.

"This is an extremely important position in senior leadership that requires the ability to strategise and build business cases for health services in line with Bermuda's health needs.

"Previously, we required an overseas consultant from Kurron to fill this position. Thanks to the Succession Planning programme implemented by BHB last year, we have been able to identify and develop Bermudians with the potential to succeed in senior leadership role.

"Mr Pearman's promotion is a result of that process."