Former JFS headteacher Rachel Fink has been named the new chief executive of the S & P Sephardi community.

The widely anticipated appointment, on the eve of the community's agm, follows her work in conducting a strategic review of the historic congregation.

Professor Stuart Morganstein, the Parnas Presidente, said, "Rachel has been working as a strategic consultant to the board for several months and in that time has developed a comprehensive knowledge of the community.

"Rachel brings a depth of professional knowledge and expertise, firm grounding and experience in the Jewish world, diverse worldly knowledge, as well as full appreciation of our history and traditions, which will help ensure that our board, and professional team can support a thriving Kahal [community]."

Interim ceo Ian Stewart will continue as chief operations officer; he took over from David Arden, who left to head Work Avenue.

This week's announcement follows the launch of the new Office of Senior Rabbi, which is designed to provide a stronger platform for Senior Rabbi Joseph Dweck to develop educational initiatives and represent the community.

In a leaked interim report, Mrs Fink warned that failure to establish the new office would risk losing one of the community's "greatest assets".

In her report, she identified "extensive weaknesses" and "missed opportunities" within the S & P but said that "most of these can be easily and swiftly rectified with appropriate leadership".

Before JFS, she headed the girls section of Hasmonean High School and has a master's degree in Jewish education. She is a graduate of the Bradfield Women’s Leadership Programme, the Cambridge Coexist Interfaith Programme and took part in the Harvard Graduate School of Education Leadership programme.

She grew up in Wembley United Synagogue, was an active Bnei Akiva member and lived and taught chemistry in Israel for 10 years.

READ MORE: What Rabbi Dweck does next

S & P plans new Office of Senior Rabbi