She will take over from interim chief executive Robert Mackie, who stepped into the role in April 2024, following the retirement of long-serving chief executive Sarah Dugan.

Rule is currently deputy chief executive and director of strategy and transformation at NHS Gloucestershire, where she has worked for more than 10 years. Rule joined Gloucestershire from the NHS in Bristol in the summer of 2014.

She has worked for the NHS since 2003 and in that time has held a variety of senior positions in commissioning and provider organisations spanning service redesign, assurance, contracting, operational management and strategic planning.

Rule said: ‘Every part of the NHS is under significant pressure at the moment and Herefordshire and Worcestershire are no exception. When I join the trust in May, I'll be focusing on making sure that we do everything we can to look after our patients and our staff to the highest standards against this challenging backdrop.'

Mark Yates, chair of the trust, added: ‘The interview panel that oversaw the recruitment process was really impressed with Ellen's approach to leadership and her very clear focus on patients, carers and the staff of the trust; we were absolutely unanimous in her appointment.'

'Ellen's leadership skills and wealth of experience will be hugely beneficial in leading our organisation through the next steps of our improvement journey and I know the trust board and local partners fully support her appointment and are keen to welcome Ellen to build on the achievements of our trust.'

Mackie will stay on as interim chief executive until Rule joins the trust on 1 May.