A NEW chief executive has been taken on to run the two GP-led health trusts in Huddersfield.

Mr Kevin Holder has been appointed joint chief executive of Huddersfield Central and South Huddersfield Primary Care Trusts.

The two trusts have been at loggerheads since their formation two years ago: Central wanted a merged trust and South Huddersfield wished to remain independent.

A joint management review was undertaken by a group of selected members from both organisations between November 2003 and February 2004, following an independent review by the Audit Commission.

They recommended the two trusts be run by one chief executive and a joint management team working across both organisations.

A statement on behalf of the trusts said they would still retain their own identity, management board and professional executive committee despite having a joint chief executive.

A spokeswoman added: "The PCTs are two separate accountable organisations and will continue to receive their own budgets."

Mr Holder said: "I am delighted to be joining Huddersfield Central and South Huddersfield Primary Care Trusts as joint chief executive.

"I am very much looking forward to working with the teams who have already done some excellent work in developing health services in Huddersfield."

Mr Holder replaces Judith Holbrey, who left South Huddersfield PCT last year and Dawn Stephenson, chief executive of Huddersfield Central PCT.

Mr Holder is currently chief executive of North Eastern Derbyshire PCT, and will take up his post on August 16.

He started his career in the British Army, where he held finance, administrative and director level posts in the UK and overseas.

He joined the NHS in 1994, and has extensive board-level experience in health authority, community trust, mental health trust and primary care trust organisations.