New health chief for Brighton and Hove

He has been promoted to director of public health, having served as the acting director since November.

His responsibilities include protecting and improving public health and running the public health team and a range of services throughout the area.

Initiatives locally have included measures to help people cut their sugar intake, stop smoking and tackle health inequalities.

His appointment was announced at the Brighton and Hove Health and Wellbeing Board meeting at Hove Town Hall yesterday (Tuesday, June 12) by the board’s new chair, Labour councillor Karen Barford.

He takes over from Tom Scanlon, a local GP. Dr Scanlon retired as director of public health two years ago.

His former deputy Peter Wilkinson served as acting director until stepping down last year, with Mr Hill – previously the assistant director of public health – then stepping up. Mr Wilkinson remains as part of his team.

Mr Hill, 48, heads the public health team at Brighton and Hove City Council – part of the council’s health and social care directorate.

He comes to his post having spent 15 years working for the National Health Service in London.

From there, he joined the old Brighton and Hove Primary Care Trust in 2008 as a public health consultant, transferring to the council in 2013.

He is the local educational supervisor for the Public Health Speciality Training Programme and has a masters degree in health economics and public health and is a fellow of the Faculty of Public Health.

Frank Le Duc , Local Democracy Reporting Service.