Skaife-Knight will leave her current role as chief executive of NHS Orkney and take over from current interim chief executive, Dr Adam Coldwells, when he retires in the autumn.

Chair of NHS Grampian, Alison Evison, said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Laura to NHS Grampian. Her 20 years' experience in the NHS working at Board-level for some of England's largest acute teaching hospitals as well as for NHS Orkney, a partner Board in the North of Scotland, and track record of delivering improvements to patients and staff experience as well as operational and financial performance, will be invaluable as we move forward.'

Scotland's health secretary, Neil Gray, said: ‘Laura is bringing a wealth of experience to the role and I look forward to working with her.'

Skaife Knight said: ‘I look forward to joining NHS Grampian and leading the organisation through its next chapter, recognising the immediate challenges ahead, the potential for our future and what is possible if we work together when it comes to further improving care, services and experience for our patients, communities and staff.

‘I have enjoyed working with Adam Coldwells, including through the North of Scotland Chief Executive Group and, recognising his upcoming retirement, would like to acknowledge the very significant contribution he has made to the NHS in Scotland both as interim chief executive for Grampian and in community and system-wide roles he has held over the last three decades.'