Sir Richard, who was the health portfolio holder for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority from March 2020 before being appointed chair of NHS GM in November 2021, will step down when his term of office ends on 30 June.

He said: ‘I will be 75 years old by the time my term ends next summer. NHS GM needs long-term leadership to take it forward so I think this will be the right time to go. By that point, NHS GM will be working to a new operating model, delivering the 10-Year Health Plan, and we'll hopefully be entering a period of stability.

‘I will continue to do what I can to guide the organisation through the transition over the next six months, before handing over to new leadership who will take us into the next chapter of NHS GM.'