HEALTH care business Verna Group has appointed new non-executive chairman, Paul Murray.

Mr Murray joins the Bolton-based company having served on the boards of Target Express Parcels, Federal Express, Prestwick Airport and Net Express European Alliance.

Mr Murray will play a key role in helping Verna Group to continue its strategy of providing quality products to the healthcare sector.

The Verna Group, based on Folds Road Bolton, was sold to private equity investor Legal and General Ventures (LGV) for £60 million in April. The company employs 300 workers in Bolton and 1,200 across the UK.

The group's core business, Vernacare, is the UK market leader in hospital bedpans, supplying 75 per cent of UK hospitals.

Karen Haslam, chief executive of Verna Group said: "I am delighted to welcome Paul to the Board. These are exciting times for Verna Group and Paul's experience in will be of great value to us."