YORK-BASED Benenden Healthcare Society has named Colin Christopher Bennett, 48, as its new chief executive.

Mr Bennett, 48, brings a wealth of executive experience from previous roles in both the public and private sector to the mutual, non-profit friendly society.

He succeeds Adrian Rees.

The new chief executive has spent the majority of his career in the international energy sector, working on strategic development and partnering. Latterly, he was director and vice-president of Mobil Gas Marketing and Mobil North Sea, where he was responsible for business service delivery. He has also had interests in publishing, property and tourism.

More recently, he has worked in the public sector, undertaking a range of roles to guide organisations in the development of a successful business approach within public sector governance.

He has worked for both central and local government bodies, and comes to the society having completed his last assignment as chief executive to the UK Chief Fire Officers Association.

Mr Bennett said: "I am delighted to be joining the society at the start of this, its centenary year, and at such a challenging time for health care. Given its ethos of care and consideration for others and its rich history, the Benenden Healthcare Society was a natural extension for me. I am very much looking forward to the challenges ahead.

"Providing affordable, not-for-profit health care and peace of mind to some one million people for £1.10 per week is something to be very proud of in a world of much self interest." He is married with two children.

Updated: 12:01 Friday, February 04, 2005