Royles will oversee the North West Strategic Health Authority's 200,000employees. Previously he was director of HR and communications at UnitedLincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust. Prior to that he was deputy directorof workforce for the NHS at the Department of Health, where he wasresponsible for the development of workforce strategy in the NHS andsocial care. He joined the Department of Health in April 2003 as head ofHR Capacity for England. He has also held HR posts at East MidlandsAmbulance Service and Chesterfield Royal Hospital.