Ajayi was previously director of strategic transformation in the Humber Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership for NHS England. She also worked as chief operating officer at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.

Her early career was as a clinical scientist in audiology, specialising in paediatrics and cochlear implants, following which she held senior roles in the Department of Health and NHS Employers.

Ajayi will join other NHS leaders on the NHS Confederation's board of trustees and will play a lead role in setting its strategic direction, monitoring its impact and upholding its values and governance.

She will also support the NHS Confederation's Acute Network, which provides a national voice for acute trusts, ambulance services and integrated providers. The network helps acute leaders influence national policy, share best practice and engage with other leaders across the wider health and social care system.

NHS Confederation chair, Lord Victor Adebowale, said: "We are delighted to welcome ‘Foluke onto our board. She brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the NHS to the role and is one of the most progressive local leaders in the country. She's an acute and community leader that plays an active role across her local system and understands that the solutions to the problems the NHS faces are to be found in effective working across neighbourhoods, places and systems.

‘Foluke also has first-hand understanding of the impact that a lack of capital investment can have on local services. Her trust is part of the New Hospitals Programme and she will play a key role in helping my colleagues at the NHS Confederation to continue to make the case for more capital investment and a reformed capital regime – issues we have long advocated for.'

Ajayi said: 'I believe strongly that it is through collaboration and co-operation across organisations, agencies and sectors that we can reduce health inequalities, create improvements in outcomes and population health, and achieve long-term, sustainable health provision.

'I'm looking forward to the opportunity to bring my experience and knowledge of working in complex systems to represent members, influence policy-makers and ultimately help to build a more resilient NHS.' 

She will take up her new role in February.