ASPH and RSFT group chief executive Louise Stead and group chair Joss Bigmore will become chief executive and chair of QVH on 12 October and 5 October, respectively.

Stead said: ‘I'm delighted to be taking on the role of group chief executive across QVH, Royal Surrey and Ashford and St Peter's.'

In further moves, Angela McNab, currently interim chair, will become deputy chair and non-executive director on the QVH board from 5 October. Tamara Everington will remain as managing director of QVH having taken up the role on 14 September.

Stead added: ‘QVH is a very special organisation with an exceptional clinical reputation, a proud history and expertise that benefits patients far beyond its East Grinstead site. Our ambition is to build on the individual strengths of all three trusts, learning from one another and identifying where working together can improve care, strengthen services and create new opportunities for our people. I'm very much looking forward to working with Tamara and colleagues across QVH as we begin this next chapter together.'