St George's Healthcare NHS Trust has appointed Miles Scott as its new chief executive.

He replaces David Astley, who stepped down earlier this year because of a board decision to delay its foundation trust application due to financial issues.

Mr Scott has been chief executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust since August 2005, and is expected to take up his new post by January 2012.

He said: "The long-term future of St George’s Healthcare is dependent on it becoming a foundation trust and I look forward to working with the board and staff to achieve this.

"It is also important for the trust to build strong alliances with local NHS organisations and to develop its partnership with St George’s, University of London."