The Department of Health has announced the successor to Will Cavendish, who left his role as director of health and wellbeing last Friday.
Liz Woodeson, director of health protection, will take over the role once someone is found to fill her current position.
Until then, Clara Swinson, who as one of the director's four deputies oversees the government's obesity strategy, will assume the role in an acting capacity.
The director of health and wellbeing is a key role for several industry-facing strategies, with responsibility for health and obesity, drugs policy and the controversial tobacco display ban.
Cavendish was praised for creating a unified strategy and for his sensitivity to industry concerns while in the role.
Woodeson is not well-known in the food industry, despite being a DH veteran. She has been director of health protection, with responsibilities including hospital infections, genetics research and representing the UK on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's management board, since 2006. She was previously head of scientific development and bioethics.
Although generally perceived as a safe pair of hands in healthcare circles, she achieved brief notoriety in 2007 after a memo was leaked. In the document, she suggested the government target of halving hospital MRSA infections might never be met, and discussed handling options and media perception.
This led to criticism from both the media and in the House of Commons about over-concern with "spin over substance".
Industry figures have cautiously welcomed her appointment, but said they were eager for an early meeting with her to discuss any potential changes in direction or approach in the government's strategy.
Cavendish, who was twice named top influencer in The Grocer Power List following his appointment in 2007, has been promoted to director-general grade in the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Liz Woodeson, director of health protection, will take over the role once someone is found to fill her current position.
Until then, Clara Swinson, who as one of the director's four deputies oversees the government's obesity strategy, will assume the role in an acting capacity.
The director of health and wellbeing is a key role for several industry-facing strategies, with responsibility for health and obesity, drugs policy and the controversial tobacco display ban.
Cavendish was praised for creating a unified strategy and for his sensitivity to industry concerns while in the role.
Woodeson is not well-known in the food industry, despite being a DH veteran. She has been director of health protection, with responsibilities including hospital infections, genetics research and representing the UK on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's management board, since 2006. She was previously head of scientific development and bioethics.
Although generally perceived as a safe pair of hands in healthcare circles, she achieved brief notoriety in 2007 after a memo was leaked. In the document, she suggested the government target of halving hospital MRSA infections might never be met, and discussed handling options and media perception.
This led to criticism from both the media and in the House of Commons about over-concern with "spin over substance".
Industry figures have cautiously welcomed her appointment, but said they were eager for an early meeting with her to discuss any potential changes in direction or approach in the government's strategy.
Cavendish, who was twice named top influencer in The Grocer Power List following his appointment in 2007, has been promoted to director-general grade in the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
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