As chief executive of Cambridge University Hospitals since November 2015, Sinker has led the organisation from a CQC rating of 'Inadequate' and a £90m financial deficit to a CQC rating of 'Good' and financial strength.

Sinker is to join the University of Cambridge, where he will lead a major review of inclusive innovation and growth.

In addition, he will continue to support work with CUH spearheading philanthropic partnerships and major gifts to support the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and the Cambridge Children's Hospital. He will also help drive strategic partnerships and investment to support the next phase of growth at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Baroness Sally Morgan, chair of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘I would like to extend my deepest thanks to Roland for his outstanding service, leadership and significant contribution to the trust and the wider ecosystem. This is a pivotal moment of opportunity for Cambridge as a world-leading cluster and I wish Roland every success in his new role.

‘For CUH, this is now the right time to enable the organisation's evolution to the next phase. We have an exciting and crucial agenda, and we are building on strong foundations.'

Sinker said: ‘There is so much at CUH to be proud of that we have delivered together. Ten years on from joining CUH, I'm now excited to take on this new challenge at the University of Cambridge, where I can leverage the strong partnerships we have in Cambridge to accelerate progress and help define a fully inclusive innovation and growth strategy to benefit the region and the entire UK.'

Nicola Ayton, currently deputy chief executive at CUH, will step into the chief executive (acting) role from the start of January.