The Natural History Museum has appointed Tom Engel as head of communications.

Engel was previously head of external affairs for Jobcentre Plus and prior to that worked as a special adviser to David Blunkett, then secretary of state for education and employment.

Engel takes up his new role on 1 July and will implement a strategy for communications for the Natural History Museum.

He replaces Catherine Holden, who has left the museum to become director of marketing and development at the Museums and Galleries of Scotland.

The Natural History Museum recently won the 2004 Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Award at the Excellence in England Awards and attracts three million visitors a year.