Julia Neuberger is to retire as senior rabbi of Britain’s oldest Reform synagogue, West London, next year, members were informed today.

Baroness Neuberger, who turns 69 next month, will step down in March 2020 after nine years at the central London synagogue.

Since the High Holy-Days, Rabbi Neuberger has been working part-time, ahead of her new position of chairman of University College Hospital Trust, for which she will work two days a week from the end of next month.

Baroness Neuberger has long had an interest in healthcare and was previously chief executive of the health think-tank, the King’s Fund.

She was Britain’s second female rabbi.

A committee to appoint her successor at West London is to be set up by the end of next month.

Mark Fox, West London’s president, and chairman Patrick Mocatta told members: “We will ensure that change is planned, gradual and in the best interests of our synagogue both for the transition period and for the long term, consistent with our unchanged ambition to keep West London Synagogue in its rightful place as the leading British Progressive synagogue.”