Hopkins retired as chief executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust in November 2025.

During a 40-year career, he began his NHS journey at Addenbrooke's Hospital in 1985, progressing through clinical and management roles before becoming chief executive.

His career has spanned both frontline patient care and senior leadership positions in Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust, and Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals Trust.

The NHS Alliance said it will advertise for its permanent acute and ambulance network director shortly.