Senior civil servant Lucian Hudson has been elected as the new chairman of Liberal Judaism. The Liberal Jewish Synagogue St John’s Wood congregant succeeds Nigel Cole, who has stepped down after five years.

Mr Hudson, 49, is a consultant to government and voluntary bodies and has experience as a television executive and journalist.

“Liberal Judaism is forging ahead, engaging on the big issues that matter for Jews and non-Jews,” he said. “The independence and vibrancy of the movement are increasingly going to be even more of an asset to Judaism, and we want to work even more closely with others on shared agendas.”