Smith joins from Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, where she has been deputy chief executive since 2022. She has also served as managing director at the Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group, working within the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System.

Interim chair, Bev Reilly, said: ‘With a career spanning 15 years, Alison has extensive senior leadership experience in healthcare and joins us at a significant time as we continue our improvement programme, Our Journey to Change.

‘Her passion for high-quality, safe care and continuous improvement will be a huge benefit to people across the communities we serve.'

Smith said: ‘I am committed to listening to and working with staff, patients, carers, families and partners as we continue to build on the improvements already underway in the trust.'

She will join the trust in September, replacing Patrick Scott, who will continue as interim chief executive until this time.