Professor Jane Anderson CBE has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees at the National AIDS Trust (NAT).

Professor Anderson, a consultant physician in HIV Medicine at Homerton Hospital and an expert adviser for Public Health England, is widely regarded as a leader in the HIV sector.

She started working in the field in the early 1980s when the first people with AIDS and with HIV were being seen.

Professor Anderson said she is excited to join the NAT team.

“This is a crucial time for the HIV sector; infection rates continue to rise, the UK health economy is undergoing unprecedented change and funding for HIV prevention, support and care is at significant risk. This is happening at a time when we know there is a serious lack of awareness and understanding of the infection amongst the general public and the communities at particular risk.

“NAT is at the forefront of these issues and is a crucial part of the solution to reversing the UK HIV epidemic.”

She will start in post from March 22 when the current Chair, Dame Denise Platt, stands down after nine years.

Deborah Gold, NAT’s chief executive, said: “We have many challenges ahead and with Jane’s experience and skills we are in a better place than ever to overcome them.”