The Jewish Leadership Council has appointed Claudia Mendoza and Michelle Janes as joint interim chief executive officers to take over from Simon Johnson on June 23.

Mrs Mendoza, who has been with the leadership body since 2011, is currently the JLC’s director of policy and public affairs.

Ms Janes joined the JLC a year and a half ago as executive director of Lead, the leadership development division of the JLC.

Mr Johnson announced his departure earlier this year and had been due to remain until September, but he will continue as company secretary until the end of the year.

The appointments mean that another major communal organisation will be in the hands of professional female leadership, complementing Gillian Merron, the longstanding chief executive of the Board of Deputies, and Mandie Winston, who arrived a few months ago as chief executive of the UJIA.

Commenting on the new appointments, Mr Johnson said: “I am delighted that Claudia and Michelle have been appointed to act as interim CEOs. They have both been hugely valuable colleagues, well respected among the members, in the wider community, and beyond. I am thrilled that their talent has been recognised as leaders of the superb JLC team.”

Mrs Mendoza said: “It is a tremendous honour to be leading the JLC with Michelle through this difficult period. I am hugely proud of our community and my priority will be to magnify and amplify the voices of our members, many of whom are exemplars of the very best of civil society.”

Ms Janes added: “It is with pride and honour that I am able to bring my varied skills and experience to lead this organisation along with Claudia. Our members are at the heart of all we do and together with them we will strive to strengthen and support the growth and development of our wonderful community.”

Jonathan Goldstein, chairman of the JLC, said, “We are delighted to introduce new interim leadership for the JLC to give us continuity, advance our strategic projects… and to maintain the efficiency of our operations.

“We also wish to thank Simon for his sterling service over the years. He has led the JLC with distinction. We will be sorry to see him go and wish him well for the future.”

The JLC's council are expected early next month to approve a second three-year term for Mr Goldstein, who is standing unopposed as chairman.

His brother Michael, president of the United Synagogue, is one of three candidates competing for two seats on the JLC's trustee board.