Pictured: Tony Yates - Executive Director at the BMI Priory and Edgbaston Hospitals

Tony Yates has been appointed the Executive Director at two Birmingham private hospitals.

After more than 20 years working in private healthcare, Mr Yates has taken the top role at both BMI The Priory and BMI The Edgbaston Hospitals. He has replaced former Executive Director Keith Cunningham who has moved to BMI Healthcare's Droitwich Spa Hospital.

Starting out as head chef at The Gloucester Clinic in 1989, Mr Yates moved to the management side of operations and went on to study marketing and business administration before becoming hospital manager at the West Midlands Hospital in Halesowen, in 2001.

He then moved to BMI Healthcare where he became Executive Director of their Swindon Hospital in 2006 before his move to Birmingham.

Mr Yates said: "Both BMI The Priory and Edgbaston have deserved reputations for providing high standards of healthcare. I will help build on those reputations by ensuring the hospitals continue to have state of the art medical facilities as well  as top consultants from around the region.

"I have a great team and we are well equipped to be an important part in the future of health services in the West Midlands."