UK mobile operator O2 has appointed insider Nikki Flanders (pictured) as the managing director of its health unit.

Flanders was previously in charge of LTE strategy for the operator as well as being a non-executive director of O2 Money.

But Flanders has only been with the operator for just over a year. Before working for the operator, she was employed by UK utility Centrica, retailers WHSmith and Marks & Spencer, as well as co-founding two health-related charities.

Mobile health, including telehealth and telecare, is one of the areas which the Telefonica Digital division of O2’s parent has targeted for revenue growth in the future.

O2 Health’s previous managing director was Keith Nurcombe who, the operator says, is “pursuing opportunities outside Telefonica” without giving further details.

Nurcombe spent three years with O2 Health. According to his LinkedIn profile, Nurcombe left the operator in December but has no new, full-time position although he is non-executive director of a start-up called Insane Logic and is involved with a charity called PINNT.