Prior (pictured) had previously worked at NatCen although she joins from TNS BMRB where she was head of longitudinal studies. She has experience of managing complex social surveys having also been project director for understanding society and also managing the Health Survey for England when she was previously at NatCen.

She will lead a 20-strong team conducting nationally-representative health surveys at NatCen.

Sullivan joins from The Health Foundation where she was research manager. In her new role she will be involved in the evaluation of health policies as well as conducting qualitative and mixed-methods research and data analysis.

Guy Goodwin, chief executive of NatCen Social Research said: “Gillian and Fay bring experience and leadership, as well as the skills to help NatCen develop our offering across our health policy and survey teams. We see the health sector as an area of growth.”

Prior replaces Rachel Craig, who retired earlier this year and Sullivan replaces Sally McManus, who continues to work for NatCen as a research associate.