Teape has been chief operating officer at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust since December 2019. He began his career in local government and joined the NHS in 2001, working in director roles within finance and strategy in acute provider trusts across the south west of England before moving to the NHS in Wales in 2015 as director of operations and deputy chief executive at Hywel Dda University Health Board.

He said: ‘I feel very privileged to be appointed as Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust's new chief executive. I will work tirelessly with our people and communities to ensure the population we serve have the very best health and care that we can deliver.'

Chair, Professor Chris Balch, said: ‘He brings with him a passion for engaging with people and communities which will really help us deliver our vision for better health and care. Joe's expertise in finance and strategy aligned with his leadership skills will directly shape our future locally and within the wider health and care system.

‘I would also like to thank Liz Davenport for leading us through the pandemic and its aftermath with compassion and courage. Her passion for service improvement and commitment to partnership working has benefited not only our organisation but the wider health and care system. She will be greatly missed but we wish her all the best for her well-deserved retirement.'

Teape will join Torbay and South Devon on 3 March 2025. Bill Shields, deputy chief executive and chief finance officer from NHS Devon, will be acting chief executive and accountable officer from 1 January 2025 until 31 March 2025, maintaining focus on operational and financial performance and ensuring a smooth leadership transition.