Macdonald has been a non-executive director with the partnership for the past nine months. He brings a wealth of experience into the role, having served in various other NHS non-executive roles in community health, commissioning, the East of England Ambulance Service, as well as the Lincolnshire ICB Finance Committee. He is also a experienced chief executive in the housing sector.

He said: ‘This is an exciting time to join the partnership which cares for well over a million people across our region. I know that we have some challenges ahead of us and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with our senior leaders to improve the care we provide and the access to that care for our local population.'

Macdonald will be taking over from Sean Lyons, who earlier this month announced that he will be stepping down from the role in October after four years in post.