The Equality and Human Rights Commission has appointed a former director from the communities department to serve as its interim boss.

Neil Kinghan, who served most recently as director-general for local government at Communities and Local Government (CLG) will take over from Nicola Brewer, who is due to become the UK's high commissioner to South Africa.

However, unlike Brewer, Kinghan will have not the title of chief executive, instead being appointed as director-general on a six-month contract.

The new director-general has experience of the commission, having worked as shadow operations director while it was being set up, and also previously served as equalities director at CLG.

The commission announced in March that it was to lose two of its most senior executives, with Brewer leaving along with strategy director Patrick Diamond, who became a Downing Street policy advisor.

Commission chair Trevor Phillips said Kinghan's priorities would be launching a new three-year strategy and implementing the government's forthcoming Equality Bill.

"Neil will be building on firm foundations set down by Nicola, who made an enormous contribution to the work of the commission," Phillips said.

Kinghan added: "I have every intention of making the most of the short time I’m here, contributing my experience to the work of the commission."