Mortimer has had a 20-year career in the NHS, starting out as a porter and healthcare assistant before joining the NHS regional training programme in the West Midlands.
Since then he has held senior HR roles across the country and been a director at Royal West Sussex NHS Trust and Western Sussex PCT, and East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust.
“His many years’ frontline experience in health service human resources is matched by his proficiency in tackling the key priority workforce issues currently facing the service,” said Rob Webster, chief executive of the NHS Confederation.
“As an existing member of the NHS Employers Policy Board, Danny is uniquely placed to bring fresh ideas and energy, while maintaining continuity and momentum.”
On his appointment, Mortimer said: “I've always been impressed by the talent and commitment of the NHS Employers team, so I am truly delighted to join them as chief executive, and look forward to continuing to deliver on the ambitious agenda that is essential to progress for the health service, the people it employs, and those it serves.”
NHS Employers was set up in 2004 to provide a voice and HR expertise to employers across the service.
Royles had been the NHS Employers chief executive for nearly four years and the top ranked HR Most Influential practitioner for the past two years.
This month, he became director of HR and organisational development at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.
