Mannion joined the trust earlier this month from Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, where he has been deputy director of workforce and organisational development since 2019.

Jonathan Coulter, chief executive of HDFT, said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Chris to HDFT. He joins us with a wealth of NHS experience and an impressive track record of leading workforce and organisational development initiatives that have made a real difference for colleagues and patients.

‘Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and Chris's values align strongly with our own. I am confident he will be a fantastic addition to our executive team and will help us build on our reputation as a great place to work while supporting our ambition to deliver outstanding care for the communities we serve.'

Mannion succeeds Angela Wilkinson, who retired in May 2026 after almost eight years as HDFT's director of people and culture.

The appointment is the latest addition to HDFT's executive team, following Julia Nixon's appointment as chief operating officer in July.