Richard Verber, the outgoing senior vice-president of the Board of Deputies, is to become the new director of communications of the United Synagogue, starting his duties at the beginning of July.

The 33-year-old Golders Green Synagogue member is currently external affairs head of World Jewish Relief. He said he was sorry to leave WJR after six years. But “the prospect of joining the United Synagogue is tremendously exciting.

“The US is vital to Jewish life in the UK and I look forward to building its reputation by engaging with its members and the wider community in a vibrant and dynamic dialogue.”

US chief executive Steven Wilson said: “We are delighted to have appointed such an experienced and innovative communal professional with the skills we need. Richard has a great track record of success across a range of communal initiatives.

“He has an excellent appreciation of the US and shares our vision of the key priorities required to ensure we succeed. I very much look forward to working with him.”

Mr Verber has previously worked at the Union of Jewish Students and University Jewish Chaplaincy. His wife Naomi has just become chairman of Golders Green Synagogue.

The US has also announced two other appointments. Jo Greenaway, who was taken on to manage divorce cases at the London Beth Din in 2014, has been promoted to get case director and deputy director, legal. She has overseen the United Synagogue's safeguarding policy.

Jo Grose, who joined to implement the recommendations of the US strategic review in 2015, has been promoted to director of strategy.