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Sir David Henshaw has been appointed as interim chair of Natural Resources Wales (NRW) – the environmental regulator of the water and sewerage sector in Wales.

He will take up the role on 1 November and will oversee the body’s work for 12 months.

His appointment, which was confirmed by the cabinet secretary for energy, planning and rural affairs Lesley Griffiths, follows the resignation of previous chair Diane McCrea in July after a scandal about the sale of timber.

Henshaw is a past chief executive of Liverpool City Council and has held chair roles in the NHS including the North West Strategic Health Authority and Alder Hey Foundation Trust Children’s Hospital leading the board in the building of the new hospital.

He has also been brought in to support several troubled NHS trusts as an interim chair.

The Welsh government said the process to recruit five new board members is currently underway, with new members also expected to commence in post on 1 November.

Henshaw and the new board members will join the five current members of the board.

Griffiths said: “Natural Resources Wales is responsible for sustainably managing, maintaining and using Wales’ natural resources and I attach great importance to its role and the work of its board.

“Sir David has a proven track record in providing strong board level leadership and significant experience in helping organisations navigate transformation.”

She added: “His immediate priorities will include supporting the organisation as it works to build more effective structures and ways of working, improving governance, building stronger relationships with stakeholders and overseeing the induction of new board members when they are appointed in November.

“I would like to also take the opportunity to thank acting chair, Madeleine Havard, for all her hard work and leadership since taking on the role.”

Clare Pillman, NRW’s chief executive added: “Sir David Henshaw’s track record speaks for itself and I look forward to working with him in shaping NRW’s next chapter and in addressing some of our immediate and longer-term priorities.”

A recruitment process for a new full-time chair will get under way in early 2019.