Dr Sohail Munshi, currently medical director of the Manchester and Trafford Local Care Organisations, has been confirmed as joint chief medical officer.

Meera Nair, currently the chief people officer for Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust and the South East London Integrated Care System, has been appointed as chief people officer.

Dr Munshi has been a GP partner in Manchester for more than 25 years, and became the chief medical officer of Manchester Local Care Organisation in 2018, with the leadership team then taking on the locality of Trafford in 2019. He advises the NHS England national leads on clinical integration and tackling healthcare inequalities.

He said: ‘I am passionate about keeping people at the centre of everything we do, and I am delighted to be taking up this role. It is an honour and a privilege to work with all the MFT family to drive excellence in outcomes for our patients and communities.'

Nair has more than 20 years' experience in the NHS, across the acute, community and mental health sectors. She has held senior leadership roles in many NHS organisations and, prior to her current role, she was director of workforce and quality improvement at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.

Nair said: ‘I have been so impressed by the ambition of the work that teams within MFT are delivering and honoured to have the chance to play a part.'

Mark Cubbon, trust chief executive, added: ‘Sohail and Meera will be taking up their roles with us at a very important time as we drive forward our MFT Strategy to help improve the health and quality of life of our diverse communities.'