Capita has appointed Jonathan Lewis as its new chief executive as the outsourcing giant looks to move on from a string of profit warnings and a difficult year.

Mr Lewis was previously in charge of Sellafield and BAE Systems partner Amec Foster Wheeler, before its takeover by Wood Group this week, and begins at Capita, which has an office in Kingstown, Carlisle, on December 1.

He also worked at Halliburton and held a number of senior academic positions.

His appointment follows a difficult 12 months for Capita, in which it sent out profit alerts twice in three months at the end of last year and ousted Andy Parker as chief executive in March.

Mr Lewis said he will focus on technology and gave a nod to the firm's "transformation".

He said: "I believe there is a real opportunity to build a truly world class technology-enabled services business from Capita's embedded foundations.

"There is work to do to complete the transformation of Capita and I am determined to make the business and its value propositions stronger for our employees, customers and shareholders, and return this great company to growth."

Capita chairman Ian Powell described Mr Lewis as a "great fit".

Interim chief executive and finance boss Nick Greatorex will continue to lead the company until November 30.